Correction: a previous version of this report inadvertently converted from Mexican pesos to US dollars instead of Argentine pesos. The conversion has been corrected.
A 17-year-old swimmer was seriously injured on the final day of the Argentine Championships after a scary collision during the warm-up.
Matías Bottoni dove into the warm-up pool and collided with another swimmer, resulting in him fracturing his cervical vertebrae and leaving him unable to move his arms or legs.
Bottoni was scheduled to go into emergency surgery on Monday and a fundraiser has been set up to help his family pay for the medical expenses.
Reports are that the procedure and recovery will cost 60 million Argentine pesos, which is just over $53,000 USD.
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Bottoni, a native of the Argentine city of Rosario, competes for the Echesortu Fútbol Club and was slated to represent Argentina at the 2025 Junior Pan American Games this coming August.
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Through the first four days of the long course competition, Bottoni raced the 100 breast (1:12.48), 100 fly (59.48), 200 IM (2:16.87) and 400 IM (4:48.33), and he had qualified for the final of the 200 fly (2:13.88) on Saturday morning before suffering his injury prior to the evening session.
Been praying for him every day now. Can we get an update ASAP?
Please update on his condition if possible-
Very anxious for him😔
Our High school teams are the worst, and athletes think this will never happen to them. As a 30-plus-year swimming official, this is my biggest worry.
Pacific swimming has a 3 point entry rule for a reason.
FEET FIRST! LOUD FOR THOSE IN THE BACK!
Oye, as coach and Aquatics Director, this is something we wish upon NO ONE EVER. It’s the number one anxiety for me, even more than drowning which is statistically lower than serious injury such as this at a pool; this story will be printed out and put on my office window at my pool.
I pray for this young man’s speedy recovery.
Will be praying for his speedy recovery!!
thanks for sharing this