The Slovakian Olympic team have confirmed their swimmer Tamara Potocka has “communicated” with doctors after collapsing at the Paris 2024 Games on Friday.
Potocka collapsed to the ground on the pool deck immediately after the women’s 200-metre medley as medics rushed to her aid. She was taken away on a stretcher and was spotted with an oxygen mask fitted to her face.
It has now been confirmed by Slovakia’s Olympic team that the 21-year-old suffered an asthma attack and she has been given oxygen therapy treatment.
Potocka is understood to be conscious and was able to communicate with doctors when undertaking the treatment.
She has been taken to hospital for further medical supervision.
The scary incident took place after Potocka had finished seventh in the third heat of the event in the morning session at La Defense Arena in Nanterre.
The incident sparked concerns when Potocka’s legs buckled as she climbed out of the pool, before tumbling to the ground. The swimmer managed to sit upright for a few seconds before falling backwards.
It quickly became apparent that something was seriously wrong and commentators expressed their concern to viewers.
“This doesn’t look good. 15,000 people are now watching an athlete surrounded by medical staff and I can assure you it’s absolutely silent in here,” the BBC commentator said.
“They’ve got a stretcher out. They’ve got an oxygen mask on the athlete and I’m going to say this looks very serious.”
It is not the first time an Olympian has collapsed at the Games. Earlier on Friday, South Sudanese sprinter Lucia Moris collapsed in agony during the women’s 100-metre sprint preliminary round and was seen clutching her right leg while on the ground.
Moris remained in a heap on the floor several minutes after the race had concluded as she was tended to by medical staff. She was eventually carried off on a stretcher, with Congolese athlete Natacha Ngoye claiming victory in a time of 11.34 seconds.