An American swimmer lost consciousness at the World Championships and was on the verge of drowning.
According to foreign media such as the British Guardian on the 24th local time, Anita Alvarez, 26, of the US artistic swimming national team, fainted underwater after finishing her performance in the women's individual free final of the 2022 World Swimming Championships held in Budapest, Hungary on the 22nd. .
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After watching Alvarez sink to the bottom of the pool, coach Andrea Fuentes of the US national team knew something was wrong and quickly jumped into the pool.
Coach Fuentes hugged Alvarez from behind and pulled him out of the water, followed by his teammate who also went into the water to help rescue him.
After that, Alvarez was given first aid by rescuers and was carried on a stretcher to a nearby hospital.
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"It was a brief moment, but it was very terrifying," Fuentes said in an interview with Spanish media.
"I yelled at the rescuers to get into the water because Alvarez didn't seem to be breathing, but they didn't understand what I was saying," he said. explained.
Regarding the point that some pointed out that the rescuer's response was late, he said, "I am the one who knows my disciple best." He said, "I was able to quickly recognize that Alvarez was unconscious because I spend more time with my family than I do."
Rescued thanks to a brave coach, Alvarez regained consciousness and restored his health, and now his heart rate, oxygen, sugar levels and blood pressure are all back to normal.
Alvarez said on his SNS, "Fortunately, I am fine and healthy. Thank you to everyone who supported and worried about me."
(Photo = Getty Images Korea)