17-Year-Old Matias Bottoni Seriously Injured After Collision At Argentine Championships

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.

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.

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.

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Bobthebuilderpebbles
19 days ago

Been praying for him every day now. Can we get an update ASAP?

Chris Breedy
20 days ago

Please update on his condition if possible-
Very anxious for him😔

Posh
20 days ago

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.

BR32
20 days ago

Pacific swimming has a 3 point entry rule for a reason.

Anonymous
20 days ago

FEET FIRST! LOUD FOR THOSE IN THE BACK!

OnTheDeck
20 days ago

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.

swimfan#1
20 days ago

Will be praying for his speedy recovery!!

felipe
20 days ago

thanks for sharing this

About James Sutherland

James Sutherland

James swam five years at Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario, specializing in the 200 free, back and IM. He finished up his collegiate swimming career in 2018, graduating with a bachelor's degree in economics. In 2019 he completed his graduate degree in sports journalism. Prior to going to Laurentian, James swam …

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