Olympic synchronised swimming champion Alla Shishkina has called on US officials to carry out deeper checks on Anita Alvarez, who on Friday was banned from competing in the team event at the World Championships, to figure out why she fainted and had to be rescued by her coach.
Alvarez was competing in the final of the women’s solo free event when she lost consciousness midway through her routine in Budapest, Hungary. The 25-year-old, who has suffered similar health scares in the past, began to sink to the bottom of the pool before coach Andrea Fuentes saved her life.
Fuentes leapt into the water fully clothed and dragged Alvarez to safety along with the assistance of a male lifeguard. Alvarez regained consciousness soon after being rescued from the pool, and the American received first aid immediately.
It is the second time Alvarez has fainted in a pool during competition, with Fuentes again coming to her rescue during a qualifying event in Barcelona ahead of the 2020 Games. The American was planning to compete in the team event, but it has since been confirmed that Alvarez will not take part after she was left off the team event startlist at the World Championships.
USA Artistic Swimming said she wasn't allowed to participate in the team finals due to international federation FINA's 'athlete safety concerns'.
And Shishkina, who reigned supreme in the team competition at three consecutive Olympics between London 2012 and Tokyo 2020, believes further checks on Alvarez must take place before she is able to compete again. Speaking to Sport24, the Russian said: “I think the reason must be looked for somewhere deeper. Maybe check the vessels of the brain, do an in-depth encephalogram.
“If a person loses consciousness like this, then obviously not everything is in order, you need to check your health. I wish that Anita was all right, but I would think about a full examination.
“Athletes are people who, even if it is dangerous to perform, will still do it.”
Shishkina originally believed Alvarez had little choice but to compete in the team event due to her pivotal role in the routine, while she also suggested the problem was not caused by the warm temperatures in the pool. She added: “I think that Anita will not even think now whether she will survive or not, but will simply perform.
“I saw that in the group she stands on supports. Usually, the person who stands on the supports can be said to be indispensable, so she simply has no choice, she will have to perform.
“As for hot water, no. This is not the first time competitions have been held in this pool. If it's hot outside, the water is cool. It is usually 26-27 degrees. It's quite comfortable.
“I performed in 2009 in the outdoor pool at the World Championships in Rome, it was +42 outside. And none of our team fainted.”
The American team was visibly distressed by the terrifying incident and were seen consoling each other by the pool in the immediate aftermath. Fuentes, who has worked as the senior national team head coach for Team USA since 2018, suggested Alvarez will be desperate to perform and put to bed the horrific incident but news has since broken confirming Alvarez will be absent from the routine.
Alvarez finished seventh in the event, which was won by Japan's Yukiko Inui. Most synchronised swimming routines require athletes to hold their breath for no more than one minute at a time, which is why the fainting experienced by Alvarez is particularly perplexing.
