Big scare

Artistic swimmer Anita Alvarez was dramatically rescued from the bottom of the pool by Team USA's head coach after fainting in a distressing scene at the World Aquatics Championships in Budapest.

Andrea Fuentes leaped in to rescue Alvarez, who had sunk to the bottom of the pool and was not breathing after passing out at the conclusion of her routine during Wednesday night's solo free final.

"It was a big scare. I had to jump in because the lifeguards weren't doing it," Fuentes said.

Dressed in shorts and a T-shirt, Fuentes dived to the bottom of the pool and dragged Alvarez to the surface.

Alvarez was taken on a stretcher to the pool's medical center, with teammates and fans appearing to be in shock poolside, with some in tears consoling each other.

"It was very intense," said Fuentes, a four-time Olympic artistic swimming medalist. "I think she was at least two minutes without breathing because her lungs were full of water."

Alvarez scored enough from the judges to finish seventh in the 12-woman final. The 25-year-old has yet to decide whether to return to the pool today for the team free final.

Alvarez was in her third world championships but has passed out in competition before. She suffered a similar reaction during an Olympic qualifier in Barcelona last year.

Prior to that, she has had sporadic issues with fainting but never in competition, Team USA spokesperson Alyssa Jacobs said.

Alvarez had fainted in Budapest due to the effort expended during the routine, the team said.

"We sometimes forget that this happens in other high-endurance sports," Fuentes said. "Marathon, cycling, cross country ... we all have seen images where some athletes don't make it to the finish line and others help them to get there. Our sport is no different ... we push through limits."

Fuentes was critical of the slow reaction of the lifeguards. "When I saw her sinking, I looked at the rescuers, but I saw that they were stunned. They didn't react," Fuentes said. "My reflexes kicked in quickly ... I can't just stare. I didn't overthink it, I jumped."