When American artistic swimmer Anita Alvarez competed in her solo freestyle at the World Aquatics Championships in Budapest, Hungary, on Wednesday, her coach noticed something: Alvarez sank to the bottom of the pool.
According to published reports, Andrea Fuentes immediately dived and pulled Alvarez to the surface, where the pair were aided by another.
Alvarez fainted.
US coach Andrea Fuentes (right) prepares to pull Anita Alvarez out of the pool after the swimmer fainted.
(Olisskaff/AFP/Getty Images)
In dramatic images captured by AFP, Fuentes can be seen underwater reaching for Alvarez, who floats with his arms down near the bottom of the pool.
Pictures show Fuentes kicking to the surface with Alvarez, apparently unconscious and being dragged away. After surfacing, they were helped by an unidentified man.
“Anita has been evaluated by medical staff and will continue to be monitored,” USA Artistic Swimming said in a statement posted to Instagram on Thursday. “She’s feeling better, take advantage of today’s rest.”
Coach Andrea Fuentes (right) and an unidentified man assist Alvarez to surface.
(Olisskaff/AFP/Getty Images)
Coach Fuentes (left) assists Alvarez.
(Peter Kohalmi/AFP/Getty Images)
US team members react as medics treat Anita Alvarez.
(Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
Medics assist Anita Alvarez.
(Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
Anita Alvarez before going down in the game.
(Anna Siraj/The Associated Press)
Alvarez came in early in the race.
(Associated Press)
sporty .
