WNY’s Anita Alvarez helps lead U.S. artistic swimming team back to Olympics

(WIVB) – Kenmore’s Anita Alvarez helped the U.S. clinch an Olympic berth in the artistic swimming team event for the first time since 2008 thanks to a strong performance at this week’s World Aquatics Championships in Doha, Qatar.

The Americans needed to finish among the top five nations that had not yet qualified for the Olympics to punch their ticket to Paris. After totaling scores from each of the three events, USA finished second overall behind China and first among teams that hadn’t qualified.

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While final roster selections won’t be announced until a later date, Alvarez appears set to compete in her third Olympic games. She represented the U.S. in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 and Tokyo during the pandemic-delayed 2020 Games while competing in duet, an event she also seeks to compete in this summer in Paris.

As the final scores were shown on the board in Doha’s Aspire Dome, Alvarez said she was overcome with emotion.

“Everything came together all at once when that score came up,” Alvarez told News 4 in a phone interview from Qatar. “I couldn’t even celebrate, just tears. All the emotion hit me. After that, I could enjoy it with them.”

Failing to qualify for the team event in previous years felt personal for Alvarez. She also endured two high-profile health scares that left her unsure if she’d be able to continue competing.

“It’s huge for the sport in our country,” she said of qualifying. “Last time I watched a U.S. team compete was in Beijing when I was like 12, and that’s when my Olympic dream started. I hope it keeps inspiring those athletes back in the U.S.”

Alvarez, 27, made international headlines in 2021 and again in 2022 when she fainted in the pool at the end of a routine. U.S. coach Andrea Fuentes dove into the pool fully clothed to rescue Alvarez both times.

After fainting in the pool, Kenmore’s Anita Alvarez awakens to another Olympic dream

Alvarez said Friday that she is in great health ahead of Paris. She has done continued testing, tweaked her diet, and continues to have blood work done to ensure there will be no issues.

“Feeling my strongest and healthiest since Budapest,” she said, referencing the event where she last passed out during the 2022 world championships.

While Team USA rotated all 12 of its artistic swimmers during the course of the three events in Doha this week, Alvarez said she swam in the eight-member team during all three events. The U.S. took bronze in the acrobatic routine and free routine while finishing fourth in technical.

The same eight swimmers have to be used for all three events at the Olympics, though NBC noted Alvarez is the only member of the team with Olympic experience.

Alvarez finished ninth and 13th in duet in her previous Olympics. USA has already qualified in duet this year, too, and Alvarez intends to swim in both events in Paris. Opening ceremonies are scheduled for July 26.

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Nick Veronica is a Buffalo native who joined the News 4 team as the Digital Executive Producer in 2021. He previously worked at NBC Sports and The Buffalo News. You can follow Nick on Facebook, Twitter and Threads. See more of his work here.

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