Swimmer Tamara Potocka collapses poolside and is stretchered off after 200M IM race at the Olympics

Hockey is a dangerous sport, but so is swimming in the 200-meter individual medley competition at the Olympics. Slovakia swimmer Tamara Potocka found that out the hard way when she collapsed poolside Friday morning after a qualifying heat of the women’s 200-meter individual medley. It was reported by the Associated Press that she suffered a severe asthma attack and had to be carried off on a stretcher while wearing an oxygen mask.

“They transferred her to the hospital in the Olympic Village and our team doctor is waiting for her there,” Slovakia Olympic Committee spokesman Lubomír Souček informed The Associated Press in a phone interview.

It was a scary scene as soon as swimmers got of the water. Potocka collapsed as soon as she exited the poor and a half-dozen medical attendants surrounded her to come to her aid. She was immediately placed on the stretcher and was carried off the pool deck. It was not mentioned if she needed to receive CPR at the time of the asthma attack.

Potocka, who lives in the Slovakian capital Bratislava, is taking part in her first Olympics. She finished seventh in her heat in a time of 2 minutes, 14.20 seconds. Her time was not fast enough to advance her to the semifinals of the event, which eliminated her from the competition.

She needs to focus on her health at this time and we can only send her our best at this time.