Slovakian swimmer Tamara Potocka collapsed poolside on Friday morning after competing in the women’s 200-meter individual medley qualifying heat at the Paris Olympics. She received first aid before being carried away on a stretcher.
The 21-year-old was seen wearing an oxygen mask as she was taken for medical attention. Medical personnel reported that she was conscious. Potocka collapsed upon exiting the pool and was immediately attended to by about six medical staff, who placed her on a stretcher and carried her off the pool deck within a minute.
It was not confirmed if CPR was administered. Israeli swimmer Lea Polonsky, who competed two heats after Potocka, acknowledged the inherent risks of their sport. “Of course that’s something in the back of your mind, but we do push ourselves to the limit every day,” Polonsky said. “You always know something like that can happen. It’s not something you think about during the race, but it’s always there.”
This is Potocka’s first Olympics, and she resides in Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia.
Potocka finished seventh in her heat with a time of 2 minutes, 14.20 seconds, which was not fast enough to advance her to the semifinals, eliminating her from the competition.
