Anita Alvarez, the artistic swimmer whose near-drowning incident in 2022 captured the world’s attention, has transformed her harrowing experience into a story of resilience, inspiration, and a new chapter with the U.S. Air Force.
Alvarez, now 28, made headlines during the FINA World Championships in Budapest when she lost consciousness in the pool moments after completing her routine. Viral photos showed her unconscious at the bottom of the water as her coach dove in to rescue her.
“It was a little hard to see at first,” Alvarez told PEOPLE. “I remember suddenly beginning to see light through my eyes and thinking, ‘Oh, I’m not breathing,’ just as they were starting to put an oxygen mask on me.”
After recovering from the incident and being medically cleared to compete again, Alvarez returned to the sport she loves. She helped her team secure a silver medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics, proving that her passion and determination remained unshaken.
Alvarez’s path took another unexpected turn when she decided to join the U.S. Air Force through the World Class Athlete Program (WCAP). The program enables elite athletes to continue training while serving their country.
“Being able to wear two uniforms and prepare full time for the next Olympics while also representing the U.S. Air Force just seemed like something I couldn’t pass up,” Alvarez said. “It’s a very cool opportunity.”
Originally from Buffalo, N.Y., Alvarez fell in love with artistic swimming at age six. Her Olympic roots run deep: her mother, Karen, competed in the 1984 Olympic trials, and her father, David, coached future Olympians.
Reflecting on the media storm after her near-drowning incident, Alvarez noted, “[The incident] blew up way more than I ever thought. But learning how those photos inspired people changed how I looked at it.”
The publicity reinforced her commitment to the sport and to inspiring others. “A lot of athletes struggle with the question of ‘what’s next?’ when they think about the end of their career,” she said.
When a friend told her about the Air Force’s athlete program, the idea of combining military service with her athletic career clicked. In January, Alvarez graduated from basic training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. She’s now preparing for the 2025 World Championships in Singapore and looking ahead to the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
“The training prepared me to return to my team as a better leader and person,” she said.
Alvarez’s time in the Air Force has given her a new perspective on resilience and teamwork. She aspires to continue her military career after 2028 but remains fully committed to her sport.
“I’d do it forever if I could,” she said. “While I cherish my time as a professional athlete, it is also very exciting to have something to look forward to when that time is up.”
Anita Alvarez’s journey from near tragedy to triumph—and now to national service—inspires fans worldwide. Her story is a testament to the human spirit and the power of reinvention.
