The entire globe is praying for Tamara Potocka of Slovakia after a frightening moment at the Paris Olympics.
There was drama at the Olympic swimming on Friday morning after Potocka collapsed poolside after her heat in the women’s 200m individual medley.
Tamara Potocka finished seventh in her race, and as she climbed out of the water, she began to collapse.
She was immediately provided medical care and an oxygen mask.
Another wild day in the Olympics took a terrifying turn when Slovakian swimmer Tamara Potocka suddenly collapsed after her swim.
Medics quickly placed an oxygen mask over the face of the young Slovak, who was lying motionless, before carefully loading her onto a stretcher and… pic.twitter.com/xCe2smZbZE
— Shadow of Ezra (@ShadowofEzra) August 2, 2024
🏅🏊🏻♀️ Slovakia swimmer Tamara Potocká is under medical assessment after collapsing following her Women’s 200 Metres Individual Medley heat at the 2024 Paris Olympics
She carried her away from the pool-side on a stretcher with an oxygen mask on her face after she finished 7th pic.twitter.com/6DuvTmdgOw
— Chip In · Sports (@ChipInSports) August 2, 2024
Potocka was then stretchered out of the arena. She was conscious the entire time.
According to BBC Sport, team Slovakia explained she had an asthma attack.
“They transferred her to the hospital in the Olympic Village, and our team doctor is waiting for her there,” Slovakia Olympic Committee spokesman Lubomír Souček told The Associated Press.
Israeli swimmer Lea Polonsky, who swam two heats after Tamara Potocka, explained the reality that swimmers are aware their sport has inherent risks.
“Of course that’s something in the back of your mind, but we do every day push ourselves to the limit,” she added. “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. She finished in 2 minutes and 14.20 seconds. Unfortunately, it was not fast enough to advance her to the semifinals of the event, which eliminated her from the competition.
The more important matter is that she recovers.
Tamara Potocka’s Health Issues Further Explained
Swimmer Tamara Potocka collapsed at the poolside Friday and got carried away on a stretcher.
Potocka was seen with an oxygen mask.
Slovakian officials later told multiple outlets that Potocka had suffered an asthma attack and she did not have her inhaler with her.
“Tamara has asthma,” Slovakia team leader Ivana Lange said in a statement. “This whole combination of nervous and physical tension while she did not have her inhaler immediately available to use contributed to the creation of this problem.
“She received oxygen and necessary medication. Her condition is constantly monitored. A few minutes ago, the doctor told me that she must be monitored for several more hours.”
