Olympic artistic swimmer Anita Alvarez has shared a major health update after nearly drowning during a 2022 competition in Budapest.
Anita Alvarez overcomes life-threatening health scare
Anita Alvarez made international headlines in 2022 when she lost consciousness during a routine and sank to the pool’s bottom.
The dramatic moment occurred at the World Aquatics Championships in Budapest.
Coach Andrea Fuentes rescued her from drowning. Alvarez, now 28, described the experience as life-flashing and traumatic.
However, this incident was life-changing for her athletic and personal growth.
Despite the scare, she continued competing and embraced a new path that aligned with both her passions and values.
Alvare shifts from Olympics to U.S. Air Force with renewed purpose
After earning silver at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Alvarez joined the U.S. Air Force’s World Class Athlete Program (WCAP).
The program allows elite athletes to train for the Olympics while serving in the military in active-duty roles.
Alvarez called it a perfect fit, letting her represent the U.S. both in uniform and in the pool.
She said she never imagined wearing two uniforms — athletic and military — while still competing on the world stage.
She graduated from WCAP in January as its first gold medalist and the 15th Olympian produced by the program.
Reflecting on this opportunity, Alvarez shared with People Magazine, “‘Being able to wear two uniforms and get to prepare full time for the next Olympics while also representing the US Air Force just seemed like something I couldn’t pass up.”
WCAP helps athletes balance military service and Olympic training
The World Class Athlete Program plays a pivotal role in helping high-level athletes like Alvarez continue their Olympic journey while fulfilling their military duties.
The program’s mission is to develop athletes who can qualify for Team USA.
It aims to help them compete on the world stage, including the Olympic Games.
The program supports athletes in balancing both their sports and military commitments.
Alvarez reflects on past health scares before the Budapest incident
Alvarez had experienced similar blackouts before, including a terrifying incident at an Olympic qualifier in Barcelona in 2021.
After completing a duet performance, Alvarez passed out and had to be rescued from the pool by her coach.
Despite this, she still secured a spot for the Tokyo Olympics.
‘I hit the last pose and I remember feeling like I was in a hamster wheel. Everything was spinning, then went dark.
‘I woke up at the side of the pool and realized I’m at a competition. “Wait, I am the competition.” Everyone’s staring at me.’ She said.
She withdrew from her next performance and eventually secured a place at the Tokyo Olympics through an alternate teammate.
She began medical testing, but the 2021 Games came too quickly for her to prioritize full evaluation and recovery.
How the dramatic event inspired others and Alvarez’s road to recovery
The moment when Alvarez blacked out mid-performance captured global attention.
Coach Andrea Fuentes rushed to save her, pulling her unconscious body from the water.
Photos of the rescue shocked viewers around the world.
Alvarez said the experience gave her a deeper understanding of herself and inspired others facing obstacles in sports.
“Seeing how those images impacted people changed how I looked at it,” she told People in her interview.
After a short time out of the water, Alvarez stunned at the 2024 Paris Olympics with a silver medal finish.
She described WCAP training as the longest time she’d ever been out of a pool, but said it was worthwhile. Now, she is preparing for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics — and planning a full-time military career afterward.