IN PICS | Olympian artistic swimmer faints underwater, coach rescues her from bottom of pool

Coach Andrea Fuentes knew something was wrong when she saw artistic swimmer Anita Alvarez sink motionless to the bottom of the pool during a solo free routine.

Artistic swimmer Anita Alvarez was dramatically rescued from the bottom of the pool by her coach Andrea Fuentes after fainting at the World Aquatics Championships in Budapest. (Photo | AFP) 

Coach Andrea Fuentes leapt in to rescue Team USA's Andrea Alvarez, who had sunk to the bottom of the pool and was not breathing after completing her routine during June 22 night's solo free final. (Photo | AFP)

'It was a big scare. I had to jump in because the lifeguards weren't doing it,' coach Andrea Fuentes was reported as saying by the Spanish newspaper Marca. (Photo | AFP)

Coach Andrea Fuentes, dressed in shorts and a T-shirt, dived to the bottom of the pool and dragged Anita Alvarez to the surface before being assisted to get the stricken swimmer to the edge of the pool. (Photo | AFP)

Anita Alvarez was taken on a stretcher to the pool's medical centre, with teammates and fans appearing to be in shock poolside. (Photo | AP)

Coach Andrea Fuentes, a four-time Olympic medallist, told Spanish radio that Anita Alvarez had fainted due to the effort expended during the routine. (Photo | AFP)

The US swim team later released a statement saying that Anita Alvarez was doing well. (Photo | AP)

The 25-year-old Anita Alvarez was in her third World Championships. She also reportedly fainted during an Olympic qualifier in Barcelona last year. (Photo | AFP)