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

2024 PARIS SUMMER OLYMPIC GAMES

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.

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David S
3 months ago

“while she did not have her inhaler immediately available to use”
Poor girl, I hope she’s fine but please keep it with you always.

TNM
3 months ago

And that’s why the jokes and memes about lifeguards at the Olympics being the most useless job need to stop.

Ranger Coach
Reply to  TNM
3 months ago

I still want that job. Getting paid to watch the Olympics would be great.

Revsticky
3 months ago

Wishing her a speedy recovery 🙏🏽

Tracy Kosinski
3 months ago

God bless you Tamara ❤️❤️❤️

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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