A chilling scene unfolded Friday morning at the 2024 Olympics when Slovakia swimmer Tamara Potocka collapsed after the women’s 200-meter individual medley heat due to an asthma attack, per reports.
The 21-year-old was carried off on a stretcher while wearing a neck brace, and later was conscious at the hospital and communicated with doctors, according to BBC.
“Tamara has asthma,” Slovakia team leader Ivana Lange said in a statement, per ESPN. “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. Her condition is constantly monitored. A few minutes ago, the doctor told me that she must be monitored for several more hours.”