Columbus Sectionals Canceled After Swimmer Suffers Cardiac Event in the Water (UPDATE)

by Riley Overend 56

July 16th, 2023 Club, News

2023 SPEEDO SECTIONALS – COLUMBUS

The 2023 Columbus Sectionals were canceled on Sunday due to a medical emergency at McCorkle Aquatic Pavilion.

A spokesperson for Ohio State University told SwimSwam that a 14-year-old had a cardiac event in the water. CPR was performed by lifeguards and medical services teams on site before the participant was transported to Ohio State’s Wexner Medical Center. Additional information was not available at this time.

Sources on deck had told SwimSwam that an individual was pulled out of the diving well that was being used as a warm-up and cool-down space.

The 200 freestyle relay, 50 breaststroke, 200 IM, women’s 1500 free, men’s 800 free, 100 free, and 400 medley relays were scheduled for Sunday night.

Update, 9:13 p.m. EST on June 16:

OLY Swimming (Oakland, Michigan) made public social media posts on Sunday evening confirming that the swimmer who had to be rescued was one of theirs.

“You may have heard that an OLY swimmer was involved in a medical emergency at the Sectional meet at Sunday finals, in Columbus, OH.

We can confirm that a member of our OLY family was involved but that is all we are confirming at this time.”

The club thanked the people at the natatorium who responded to the event, and asked the swimming community to keep the team in their thoughts and prayers.

We are grateful for the lifeguards, medical staff, and OSU Natatorium staff who helped during this emergency.

We ask that you continue to keep our OLY family in your thoughts and prayers.

This is a developing story and will be updated with further information when confirmed. 

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OSUSwimFan
9 months ago

For those who are wondering now, the swimmer is out of the hospital and is back home.

Coach Chackett
10 months ago

Spokesperson from Ohio State University got the age of the Swimmer inncorrect

SwimmersA3
10 months ago

Has anyone heard any updates on this young man? We were there and my whole family is praying he is okay.

YourLocalD3Swimmer
Reply to  SwimmersA3
10 months ago

Per a post from OLY Swimming this morning—he is still in the ICU but is responding well to treatment. Improving by the hour I have heard. Seems to be good news so far. Please, continue to keep him and the OLY family in your prayers!

SwimmersA3
Reply to  YourLocalD3Swimmer
10 months ago

Thank you for the update – continued prayers

John
Reply to  SwimmersA3
10 months ago

There is an update on OLYs Instagram. He is still in ICU but responding to treatment and making progress.

Kalina
10 months ago

As a former swimmer from Michigan I first want to extend all my love and prayers of healing to this family. My father died at Wexner in after being in freak accident in Ohio. We received amazing care and I hope the same for you all with a more positive outcome.

anonymous
10 months ago

Thank you for following up on this story and keeping us updated with public information. I was at a meet and witnessed a similar situation where the swimmer was not pulled from the pool by a lifeguard, but someone else on deck. It is scary and challenging for all involved. Prayers to all

Alison Peltcs
10 months ago

Praying for this young man and his family, and everyone involved.

bubo
10 months ago

As a former natatorium lifeguard this a complete nightmare for everyone involved

anonymous
Reply to  bubo
10 months ago

As someone who is usually on a pool deck during a swim meet – it makes me now stop and look around throughout the meet – always checking for open space – clearing exits – getting people out of areas they shouldn’t be, etc. Definitely more aware after witnessing such an event.

Capt Dave
10 months ago

Prayers to the entire OLY swim family

About Riley Overend

Riley is an associate editor interested in the stories taking place outside of the pool just as much as the drama between the lane lines. A 2019 graduate of Boston College, he arrived at SwimSwam in April of 2022 after three years as a sports reporter and sports editor at newspapers …

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