FINA has banned artistic swimmer Anita Alvarez from further participation in the 2022 World Aquatics Championships after she fainted in the pool in Budapest during her routine.
Earlier this week, the Team USA swimmer was saved from the water by her coach after she fainted and sank to the bottom in the artistic swimming solo free final.
Following her rescue, Alvarez posted to Instagram to notify followers that she was feeling healthy and hopeful of being cleared by medical staff to participate in Friday's women's team free final.
But prior to the final, FINA released a statement announcing Alvarez should not compete.
"The health and safety of athletes must always come first," the statement read.
The world governing body for water sports said the decision was made following an hour-long meeting between Team USA's doctor and team leader, the president of USA Artistic Swimming, the executive director of FINA and representatives from FINA's sports medicine committee.
The statement did not say Alvarez was permanently banned from competing and indicated they were hopeful should could participate in future competitions.
"FINA is delighted that Anita Alvarez has already made such a strong recovery, and looks forward to seeing her in competition again soon," the statement read.
Dramatic underwater photos of Alvarez's coach, Andrea Fuentes, diving fully clothed into the competition pool to rescue her limp body were captured by an AFP photographer.
They showed Fuentes bringing Alvarez to the surface, where another swimmer helped her take Alvarez to the edge of the pool.
Alvarez was lifted out of the water and onto a stretcher to receive medical attention.
Fuentes said after the rescue that Alvarez had experienced a medical emergency but that she was OK.
She said fainting spells were are actually quite common for artistic swimmers, and that it can happen "many times" in training.
