As American artistic swimmer Anita Alvarez was performing her solo free routine Wednesday in competition at the World Aquatics Championships in Budapest, Hungary, her coach realized something was wrong: Alvarez had sunk to the bottom of the pool.
Andrea Fuentes immediately dove, pulling Alvarez to the surface, where the two were helped by someone else, according to published reports.
Álvarez had fainted.
US coach Andrea Fuentes, right, prepares to pull Anita Alvarez out of the pool after the swimmer collapsed.
(Oli Scarff/AFP/Getty Images)
In dramatic footage captured by Agence France-Presse, Fuentes can be seen underwater reaching for Alvarez, who was floating arms down near the bottom of the pool.
The footage shows Fuentes kicking towards the surface with Alvarez, clearly unconscious, in tow. Upon emerging, they were rescued by an unidentified man.
“Anita has been evaluated by the medical staff and will continue to be monitored,” USA Artistic Swimming said in a statement posted Thursday on Instagram. “She is feeling much better and taking advantage of today to rest.”
Coach Andrea Fuentes, right, and an unidentified man assist Alvarez as he emerges.
(Oli Scarff/AFP/Getty Images)
Coach Fuentes, left, assists Alvarez.
(Peter Kohalmi/AFP/Getty Images)
US team members react as medical workers treat Anita Alvarez.
(Dean Mouhtaropoulos / Getty Images)
Medical workers help Anita Alvarez.
(Dean Mouhtaropoulos / Getty Images)
Anita Alvarez before collapsing during competition.
(Anna Szilagyi / Associated Press)
Alvarez competes at the start of the competition.
(Associated Press)