Slovakian Swimmer Tamara Potocka Collapses After 200 IM Prelims Amid Asthma Attack

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Slovakian swimmer Tamara Potocka suffered an asthma attack after competing in the women’s 200 IM prelims on Friday morning, causing her to collapse as the 21-year-old exited the pool at her first Olympics.

Medical staff at La Défense Arena rushed to Potocka’s side, giving her oxygen and taking her off the pool deck in a stretcher. A Slovakian spokesperson said Potocka has communicated since receiving oxygen therapy and that her condition will be continually monitored over the next few hours.

“Tamara has asthma,” said Ivana Lange, Slovakia’s team leader. “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.

“She received oxygen and necessary medication,” Lange added. “Her condition is constantly monitored. A few minutes ago, the doctor told me that she must be monitored for several more hours.”

Potocka placed 23rd in the 200 IM heats with a time of 2:14.20, within a couple seconds of her personal-best 2:12.42 from last month’s European Championships. The 200 IM is her only event in Paris this summer.