Anita Alvarez, an American artistic and synchronized swimmer, fainted in the pool at the 2022 World Aquatics Championships in Budapest, and her coach, Andrea Fuentes, rescued her.
She is thriving with a new chapter as an Air Force Recruit and has made her parents proud.
After graduating from the Kenmore West Senior High School in 2014, Anita began her professional swimming career and competed in the women’s duet at the 2016 Summer Olympics.
She was a member of the USA Synchronized Swimming National Team and competed at the 2015 World Championships in Kazan and the 2014 Junior World Championships.
She won a bronze medal with the United States women’s team at the 2019 Pan American Games and coached intramural swimming for Walnut Creek Aquanuts.
Anita was named the 2021 USA Artistic Swimming Athlete of the Year. She won silver medals with the United States team at the 2023 Pan American Games and the 2024 Summer Olympics.
When I’m in the grind and training at home in Los Angeles, you know, it’s just my day to day, so I don’t think about it. But when I come back here and I get to see people that I used to swim with or my home club team and all these people who are so proud of me, it’s super special.
Anita Alvarez
Anita Alvarez’s Parents Supported Her Artistic And Synchronized Swimming
Anita Alvarez, the daughter of Karen Brinkman Alvarez and David Alvarez, was born on December 2, 1996, in Amherst, New York.
Her parents raised her alongside her brother, Tommy Alvarez, born on May 29, 1994. He is a professional gardener and passionate about crafting distinctive plant forms.
Anita Alvarez comes from a family deeply rooted in sports, and her parents have not only influenced her career but also left their mark on the world of athletics.
Their dedication to sports, coaching, and mentorship has played a pivotal role in shaping her journey to the Olympics.
David Alvarez has been a significant figure in competitive sports. As a dedicated coach, he mentored multiple athletes, two of whom reached the Olympic level, though they did not secure medals.
David’s connection to the Olympics runs even deeper through his father, who played a crucial role in the historic 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York.
His father supervised all off-ice officials and the timekeeper for the legendary “Miracle on Ice” hockey game.
Meanwhile, Karen Brinkman Alvarez was an accomplished swimmer in her own right.
She competed in the 1984 U.S. Olympic Trials, placing seventh in the duet event. Her passion for swimming never waned and transitioned into coaching, passing on her expertise to the next generation of swimmers.
Anita grew up watching her mother in the pool, absorbing the discipline and dedication required to excel in aquatic sports.
Karen’s experience as an athlete and a coach gave Anita a strong foundation, helping her navigate the challenges of elite competition.
I grew up at this pool with my mom when she was coaching…just a little kid on the side of the pool watching and first falling in love with the sport, joining and then swimming here until my last few days before moving out to California. So it’s really special to be back and also to be here and get to show my team around my home city.
Anita Alvarez
Anita Alvarez’s Parents Talked About Raising An Olympian
Anita Alvarez didn’t reach the pinnacle of her sports alone and had an entire support system behind her, often led by her parents.
Her parents, Karen Brinkman Alvarez and David Alvarez, have been by her side every step of the way.
In an interview, the Alvarez family shared their pride, memories, and insights into raising an Olympian.
Anita was a good athlete and had a special gift, no matter what she did. Her athletic talent was evident from a young age.
She excelled in softball, soccer, speed swimming, and synchronized swimming.
As a coach, Karen noticed early on that her daughter deeply understood sports beyond her years. Anita was always driven, always working on perfection, and very coachable.
Ten years ago she moved away and, you know, lots of hard work. It’s been an amazing journey. It’s still, still hard to believe that she’s going to be a three time Olympian. It’s super special. You know, the town really rallies behind her. It’s so nice to see her dreams come true.
Karen Brinkman Alvarez
However, her journey hasn’t been without challenges. During the FINA Olympic Qualification Tournament in Barcelona in June 2021, she fainted, and her coach, Andrea Fuentes, rescued her.
Similarly, on June 22, she fainted in the pool and sank to the bottom at the 2022 World Aquatics Championships in Budapest. Her coach saved her again.
Her parents mentioned her recovery, and she won silver medals at the 2023 Pan American Games and the 2024 Summer Olympics.
Despite her incredible achievements, the Alvarez family has always been modest about her success.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Anita Alvarez stands 1.70 m tall and weighs about 52 kg.
- She was named the 2016 and 2019 USA Synchro Athlete of the Year, along with Mariya Koroleva.
- She joined the U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program, which would allow her to enlist and finish her swimming career before selecting a specific role in the Air Force.
- She is practicing for the 2025 world championships in Singapore in July, while looking ahead to the 2028 Summer Olympics in L.A.
