Artistic swimmer who fainted rescued by coach

Two-time Olympics swimmer fainted and sank to the bottom of the pool during Wednesday’s World Aquatics Championships in Budapest. Her coach on Team USA, Andrea Fuentes, dived in to save her, scooping her limp body up and rushing her back to the water’s surface, writes Jennifer Hassan of The Washington Post.

A series of photographs captured the dramatic rescue. One image shows Fuentes, fully clothed, reaching out under the water as she attempts to grab the unconscious swimmer. Another shows the pair entwined as Fuentes guides them both up for air.

Alvarez received urgent medical care after the rescue.

Following the incident, Fuentes accused lifeguards at the venue of not acting fast enough in the face of danger.

“It was a big scare,” Fuentes told Spain’s Marca newspaper. “I had to jump in because the lifeguards weren’t doing it.”

Alvarez was competing in the women’s solo free final when she stopped breathing, sparking widespread concern among her teammates and spectators at the venue and on social media.

In an Instagram update Wednesday, the official USA artistic swimming account shared a statement from Fuentes who said Alvarez had been thoroughly checked by doctors and was recovering.

“All is okay,” she wrote, before highlighting the risk that swimmers, like other athletes, face while performing.

“We have all seen images where some athletes do not make it to the finish line and others help them get there. Our sport is no different than others, just in a pool,” she said. “We push through limits and sometimes we find them.”

Wednesday marked the second time that Alvarez, 25, has fainted while swimming. It also marks the second time Fuentes has jumped in to save her.

It remains unclear if Alvarez will take part in today’s team event. She is due to be assessed by doctors Thursday.