Artistic swimmer Anita Alvarez was dramatically rescued from the bottom of the pool by her coach after fainting at the World Aquatics Championships in Budapest.
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Andrea Fuentes leapt in to rescue Team USA's Alvarez, who had sunk to the bottom of the pool
Image Credit: USA Today
and was not breathing after completing her routine during Wednesday night's solo free final.
Image Credit: USA Today
"It was a big scare. I had to jump in because the lifeguards weren't doing it," Fuentes was reported as saying by Spanish newspaper Marca.
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Fuentes, dressed in shorts and a T-shirt, dived to the bottom of the pool and dragged Alvarez to the surface
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"I was scared because I saw she wasn't breathing, but now she is doing very well," said Fuentes.
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Alvarez was taken on a stretcher to the pool's medical center, with teammates and fans appearing to be in shock poolside.
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The US swim team later released a statement saying that Alvarez was doing well.
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Fuentes, a four-time Olympic medalist, told Spanish radio that Alvarez had fainted due to the effort expended during the routine.
Image Credit: USA Today
"She only had water in her lungs, once she started breathing again everything was OK," said Fuentes.