Synchronized swimmer Anita Alvarez will not be allowed to participate in the final of the team event at the World Cup in Budapest on Friday. The 25-year-old American became unconscious during her exercise on Wednesday and has been banned from further participation by the international swimming federation FINA.
The doctors of the US team gave Alvarez the green light to return to competition after several examinations in the past 36 hours, but the FINA ruled a few hours before the start of the final that she should not be entered.
Alvarez caused panic at the World Cup on Wednesday when she passed out during her exercise. The American national coach Andrea Fuentes, herself a successful synchronized swimmer in the past, did not hesitate for a moment and dived into the water when she saw that her pupil was slowly sinking to the bottom. With the help of a lifeguard, the Spanish moved her pupil to the side, where Alvarez immediately received medical attention and regained consciousness.
“I’m okay and healthy,” the two-time Olympian wrote on Instagram on Thursday. “I have two more race days that I want to focus on.”
Alvarez told several media in Hungary that she would like to participate in Friday’s team final as captain of the American team. “I don’t want to disappoint my teammates. And I want to leave this World Cup with my head held high.”
Merkely Béla, the doctor responsible for the health of the athletes at the World Swimming Championships, informed the Hungarian RTL News know that he doesn’t think it’s responsible for Alvarez to dive back into the pool. “This sport is probably not right for her,” he said.
Anita Alvarez (center) is brought to the surface by her coach Andrea Fuentes (left).
Anita Alvarez (center) is brought to the surface by her coach Andrea Fuentes (left).
Photo: ANP
Alvarez passed out twice before
Alvarez’s mother told the American CBS that her daughter has passed out three times in the pool. The first time it didn’t happen during a match.
Last June, the American lost consciousness during an exercise at an Olympic qualifying tournament in Spain. Then she was also saved from drowning by her coach Fuentes.
“I say this very often to Andrea and other people: I am very grateful that she is my coach,” Alvarez said on Thursday. NBC News.
The American team said in a statement that Alvarez became unconscious on Wednesday due to the great effort she made during her exercise. Fuentes told the Spanish newspaper Brand that “we must remember that this can happen in endurance sports. In our sport, it only happens in a swimming pool.”
The team final at the World Cup started on Friday at 4 p.m.
