Anita Alvarez, an artistic swimmer for Team USA, faced a near-drowning incident during competition, but has since opened a new chapter in her life. The Olympic silver medalist fainted after finishing her routine at the 2022 Fina World Championships in Budapest, making headlines when her coach, Andrea Fuentes, jumped into the pool to rescue her.
Fast forward three years, and Alvarez has shared her journey of enlisting in the Air Force. According to reports, she graduated from basic training in January and is now a recruit. The 28-year-old has returned to her swimming roots to prepare for the 2024 Olympics, but she proudly carries the title “Airman Alvarez.”
She trained at a joint base in San Antonio and is part of the World Class Athlete Program (WCAP), designed for elite athletes pursuing military careers while training for their sports. “Having two uniforms allows me to focus full-time on the Olympics, but representing the US Air Force felt like a significant opportunity I couldn’t pass up,” Alvarez mentioned.
Notably, she became the first medalist and the 15th Olympian to join this unique recruitment program. “It’s a really fantastic opportunity,” she expressed.
The experience of her near-drowning incident has profoundly shaped her as an athlete. Alvarez noted that the widespread reaction to the incident has altered her perspective on her journey. “It blew up way more than I anticipated,” she reflected. “But seeing those inspirational photos changed how I perceived the whole experience.”
This moment led her to reassess her career direction, and joining the Air Force seemed like a sensible step. “Many athletes question, ‘What comes next?’ as they think about life after sports,” she shared. Although her training kept her away from the pool for a while, she feels it prepared her to return as a more effective leader and person.
Alvarez is currently preparing for the 2025 World Championships in Singapore and has set her sights on the 2028 Summer Olympics, but she also looks forward to a continued career in the Air Force. “I hope to keep serving beyond 2028. My passion for sports is still alive, and I would continue if I could,” she said. “I cherish my time as a professional athlete, but it’s also thrilling to think about the future once that phase ends.”
