Olympic medalist Anita Alvarez has opened up about her harrowing near-drowning experience during the 2022 World Championships in Budapest. The artistic swimmer, representing the United States, lost consciousness at the end of her routine, sinking to the bottom of the pool.
Alvarez credits her coach, Andrea Fuentes, with saving her life. Fuentes, witnessing the emergency, immediately dove into the pool and pulled Alvarez to safety. Medical personnel provided immediate care, and Alvarez has since made a full recovery.
"It was a really scary moment," Alvarez said in a recent interview. "I'm so grateful to Andrea for her quick thinking and bravery. Without her, the outcome could have been very different." The incident sparked widespread concern about athlete safety and the physical demands of elite competition. Alvarez hopes her experience will raise awareness and promote better safety protocols in aquatic sports.
Olympian Anita Alvarez Reflects on Near-Drowning Experience
American artistic swimmer Anita Alvarez recently spoke about her near-drowning incident at the 2022 World Championships. The Olympic silver medalist recounted the terrifying moment when she lost consciousness in the water. Her coach, Andrea Fuentes, bravely jumped in to rescue her. Alvarez has since recovered and continues to advocate for athlete safety and well-being.