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Japanese swimmer Rikako Ikee collapses on deck of Olympic pool after 4x100m medley relay

VaselineAugust 5, 2024

2 2 minutes read

Japanese swimmer Rikako Ikee collapses on deck of Olympic pool after 4x100m medley relay

A second swimmer collapsed on the pool deck after an Olympic race on the final night of competition at the Paris La Défense Arena.

Moments into the women’s 4x100m medley relay, medical staff rushed to Japan’s Rikako Ikee, who had fallen to the ground.

The 24-year-old was walking from the post-race TV interviews to the mixed zone when she suddenly fell to the ground.

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Officials rushed to her side and covered her with towels. Ikee was carried out of sight for further examination.

The Japanese swimmer battled acute lymphocytic leukemia for about 10 months after being diagnosed with the disease in 2019.

She then returned to competition and recovered in time to attend Tokyo 2020 (in 2021).

Ikee led the Japanese relay and finished a strong fifth, behind the United States, Australia, China and Canada.

Japan finished fifth in the race. Credit: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

It came just days after Slovakian swimmer Tamara Potocka collapsed in similar circumstances after her 200m individual medley (AEST) on Friday evening.

The swimming program was halted for several minutes while the 21-year-old received medical attention.

Staff rushed to Potocka’s side as she lay motionless on the edge of the pool after her race, in which she finished seventh.

She was given an oxygen mask and placed on a stretcher as the stadium watched, and there was applause as she was wheeled out.

The Slovak remained conscious throughout the incident.

In a statement by Slovakian team leader Ivana Lange it later became clear that it was asthma.

“Tamara has asthma, and this whole combination of nerves and physical tension while not having her inhaler right at hand contributed to this problem,” Lange said at the time.

“She was given oxygen and the necessary medication, her condition is constantly monitored. A few minutes ago the doctor told me that she needs to be monitored for a few more hours.”

Tamara Potocka was carried out of the stadium on a stretcher. Credit: MONKEY

Potocka also made a statement saying that her racing tactics were working against her.

“I told myself I would go all out and leave my soul in the pool, and that’s what happened,” she wrote.

“Unfortunately, I couldn’t get away by myself due to total exhaustion, so they had to carry me on a stretcher. No, I didn’t drop out or have an asthma attack.

“I just couldn’t breathe and move my whole body. How do you think it feels to be watched by 15,000 people?

“I wanted to do so well that I started too fast, but because I’m a fighter and I didn’t want to give up, it caught up with me at the end of the day because I wanted to get the most out of myself.

“But that’s what happens when an athlete reaches the lowest point of her ability, just to get the best possible result and please her loved ones.

“Anyway, I’m doing well and I can finally say that I’m an OLYMPIAN.”

VaselineAugust 5, 2024

2 2 minutes read

Vaseline

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