Shock as Olympic swimmer, 21, suffers asthma attack and collapses after race as she is carried off on stretcher
2 August 2024, 11:14 | Updated: 2 August 2024, 12:53
An Olympic swimmer suffered an asthma attack and collapsed after her race, having to be carried off on a stretcher.
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Tamara Potocka, 21, was seen being taken away from the pool after the third heat of the women's 200-metre individual medley.
Race organisers said the Slovakian athlete was conscious and being given oxygen.
She had finished seventh in her heat, and climbed out of the pool at the La Defense Arena in Nanterre, Paris.
But then she became unsteady on her legs, having to sit down for a few moments before falling backwards.
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Swimmers were already lining up for the fourth heat as Potocka was visibly struggling.
Race organisers soon noticed that she was in distress, and sent in emergency medical teams.
They soon gave the ailing swimmer oxygen and put her on a stretcher, before carrying her away as spectators looked on in shock.
A Slovakian team official told the PA news agency Potocka is asthmatic and had an asthma attack after her race.
Potocka, though, regained consciousness and was communicating with doctors before being taken to hospital for more monitoring.
