Slovakia Potocka Collapses In Olympic Swimming Race

Slovakia Potocka Collapses In Olympic Swimming Race

By Admin

 Slovakia's Tamara Potocka collapsed after her women's 200 metres individual medley heat at the Paris Olympics on Friday because she has asthma and did not have her inhaler with her, a team official said after the swimmer received medical treatment.

Medical staff rushed to assist Potocka and carried her away from the pool-side on a stretcher with an oxygen mask on her face after she finished seventh in the third heat of the event in the morning session at La Defense Arena.

"Tamara has asthma. 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," Slovakia's team leader Ivana Lange said in a statement.

"She received oxygen and necessary medication, her condition is constantly monitored."

The Slovakia team later said she had been released from medical care in the mid-afternoon and was recovering in her room at the Olympic village.

"The condition of Slovak swimmer Tamara Potocka ... has improved significantly after oxygen therapy and the delivery of medication. The swimmer is fine now," a spokesman said.

"The athlete started the race too quickly (she was leading in her heat after the initial 50 metres) and had breathing problems after finishing the race," the spokesman added, citing a team doctor.

The 21-year-old's time of two minutes 14.20 seconds ruled her out of advancing to the semi-finals and was 4.3 seconds slower than the fastest swimmer, Canada's gold medal hope Summer McIntosh.

She will not swim at any other events at the Games.