Trainer Andrea Fuentes jumped into the pool after seeing the 25-year-old artistic swimmer sink to the bottom at the end of her routine in the women’s solo free event.
Fuentes, a four-time Olympic medalist in synchronized swimming, lifted Alvarez to the surface before helping her to the edge of the pool.
Álvarez received medical attention poolside, Reuters reported, and was later carried away on a stretcher.
It was the second time Fuentes had to rescue Alvarez, according to Reuters, after he jumped into the pool during an Olympic qualifying event last year and carried her to safety, along with the American’s swim partner Lindi. Schroeder.
“Sometimes we forget that this happens in other high-endurance sports. Marathon, cycling, cross country… we have all seen images where some athletes do not reach the finish line and others help them to reach it”, Fuentes added.
“Our sport is no different than others, just in a pool, we push the limits and sometimes we find them. Anita feels fine now and the doctors say she is fine too.”