Swimmer Anita Alvarez pulled from bottom of pool by coach in dramatic rescue

USA's Anita Alvarez sinks to the bottom of the pool during an incident, in the women's solo free artistic swimming finals, during the Budapest 2022 World Aquatics Championships at the Alfred Hajos Swimming Complex in Budapest on June 22, 2022. (Photo BUDAPEST, Hungary - Andrea Fuentes prevented a tragedy at the swimming world championships with her quick reaction.The United States coach knew something was wrong when she saw artistic swimmer Anita Alvarez sink motionless to the bottom of the pool during a solo free routine on Wednesday.The fully clothed Fuentes dived in.

She swam to the unresponsive Alvarez, put her arms around her, and lifted her to the water’s surface, where another person helped get her out of the pool.A member of Team USA (R) dives to save USA's Anita Alvarez (L), during an incident in the women's solo free artistic swimming finals during the Budapest 2022 World Aquatics Championships. (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images) Alvarez, a two-time Olympian, had fainted."It was her best performance ever, she just pushed through her limits and she found them," Fuentes joked.Alvarez, who was immediately given medical attention, was feeling much better on Thursday.A member of Team USA (R) recovers USA's Anita Alvarez (L), from the bottom of the pool during an incident in the women's solo free artistic swimming finals. (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images) "Anita has been evaluated by medical staff and will continue to be monitored.

She is feeling much better and using today to rest," USA Artistic Swimming told The Associated Press in a statement."Watching yesterday’s medical emergency of 2x Olympian Anita Alvarez and subsequent rescue by coach Andrea Fuentes was heartbreaking for our community.