Slovakian swimmer Tamara Potocka collapsed poolside on Friday, moments after competing in the women's 200-meter individual medley at the 2024 Summer Olympics.
Potocka placed seventh in the race at La Defense arena and safely climbed out of the water before suddenly collapsing on the pool deck. multiple ReportsMedical staff quickly rushed to the scene and tried to help the 21-year-old athlete in distress. They administered emergency medical treatment poolside, including putting an oxygen mask on Potocka.
NANTERRE, FRANCE – AUGUST 2, 2024: (Image captured by a robotic camera mounted above the arena) Slovakian athlete Tamara Potocka receives treatment after collapsing after the women's 200m individual medley qualifying event during day seven of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Paris-La Défense Arena in Nanterre, France on August 2, 2024. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
Medical staff continued to provide medical assistance to Potocka at the scene for several minutes before carefully removing her on a stretcher for further medical treatment, with the crowd erupting in rapturous cheers as she was carried out of the building.
Tamara Potocka of Slovakia competes in the women's 200m individual medley during the 2024 World Aquatics Championships at the Aspire Dome in Doha on February 11, 2024. (Photo by SEBASTIEN BOZON/AFP via Getty Images)
Slovakian team leader Ivana Lange issued a statement following the horrific incident.
“Tamara has asthma and the nerves, combined with the physical strain of not having her inhaler readily available, contributed to this issue,” she said.
Lange provided an update on Potocka's condition, but it was clear more time was needed to assess her condition.
OLYMPICS: Slovakian swimmer Tamara Potocka collapsed after suffering an asthma attack and was carried off by medical staff on a stretcher in front of fans inside Paris' La Defense arena on Friday. pic.twitter.com/4dhtfIW18E
— Tpapa OG (@XViralNews7) August 2, 2024
“She is being given oxygen and necessary medication and her condition is being continuously monitored,” Lange said, according to the Guardian.
“The doctor just told me a few minutes ago that she needs to be monitored for a few more hours.”
Slovakian officials said Potocka did not have his inhaler on the stadium.
Does anyone know? #TamaraPototka What are you doing? I read that he collapsed because he had asthma and didn't have his inhaler, and if he needed a steroid-based inhaler, he was probably scared to use it. https://t.co/HkhoxPynji
— Emily (@YYZemily) August 2, 2024
Officials at the venue provided a further update later that afternoon, saying Potocka was conscious and undergoing further medical treatment.
swimming Heat There was a delay of about 10 minutes before Olympic events resumed as scheduled. (Related: Tom Cruise to perform epic stunt at Olympics closing ceremony)
Summer McIntosh of Canada had the fastest time in the individual medley, with Potocka finishing in 23rd place.
