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The Making of an Olympian: Anita Alvarez’s Path to Paris 2024
In our latest segment of Ganadoras on LatiNation, we caught up with Anita Alvarez, the accomplished Olympic artistic and synchronized swimmer. During the interview, we explored how her mom played a pivotal role in nurturing her passion for swimming, the strong bond she shares with her coach- especially after having some accidents in the water- the rigorous preparation she undergoes for her performances, and her excitement about returning to the Olympics this summer in Paris.
Meet Olympic Artistic and Synchronized Swimmer, Anita Alvarez
Anita Alvarez is an American artistic and synchronized swimmer known for her grace, strength, and resilience in the sport. Born on December 2nd, 1996, in Buffalo, New York, she graduated from Kenmore West Senior High School in 2014. Shortly after, she began her professional synchronized swimming career, making a name for herself on both national and international stages.
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Anita competed in the women’s duet at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio with Mariya Koroleva, where they finished 9th. She continued competing in high level events, participating in the 2015 World Championships in Kazan and the 2014 Junior World Championships. She also represented the USA at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo alongside Lindi Schroeder, where they finished 13th in the preliminary rounds.
Before becoming an Olympic athlete, Anita coached intramural swimming in Western New York. She also coached the Walnut Creek Aquanuts, leading them to the 2019 Junior Olympics in Buffalo.
As the Paris 2024 Olympics draw near, Anita is expected to make history as the first three-time Olympian in US artistic swimming. She will be competing in both duets and women’s team events.
Anita’s Accident That Scared The World
Anita’s relationship with her coach, Andrea Fuentes, has been a crucial part of her career, especially after a series of particularly scary accidents she had while in the water. During the 2022 World Aquatics Championships in Budapest, Hungary, Anita fainted and sank to the bottom of the pool. Fuentes, a former Spanish Olympic swimmer, heroically rescued her and ensured she received the necessary medical attention.
FINA subsequently barred her from participating in the team free routine final. This was not the first time Fuentes has had to come to her aid; a similar incident occurred during the 2021 Olympic Qualification Tournament in Barcelona.
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Fun Facts about Anita
- She rode the elevator with Michael Phelps twice.
- She once stepped on Michelle Obama’s foot while hugging her during a White House visit.
- She put a nose clip on John Legend.
- As a 14-year-old, she competed in the 2012 US Olympic Team Trials and was present for 11:11 on 11/11/11.
- Her mom competed in the 1984 US Olympic Trials and placed 7th in her duet.
- Her grandpa was in charge of all the off ice officials in the 1980 Olympic Games and was the timekeeper for the ‘Miracle on Ice’ hockey game in the 1980 Olympic Games.
- Her dad has coached two Olympians, although not in the sports they became Olympians in.
Achievements and Recognition
Olympics:
Rio 2016: 9th (Duet – Women)
Tokyo 2020: 13th (Duet – Women)
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World Championships:
Most recent: 2022 – 6th (Solo Technical Routine – Women), 7th (Duet Technical Routine – Women, Solo Free Routine – Women), 9th (Team Free Routine – Women)
Years of participation: Duet Technical Routine – Women 2015, 2017, 2019, 2022; Solo Free Routine – Women 2019, 2022; Solo Technical Routine – Women 2022; Team Free Routine – Women 2015, 2017, 2019, 2022; Duet Free Routine – Women 2015, 2017, 2019; Team Technical Routine – Women 2015
Top finish: 6th – 2022 (Solo Technical Routine – Women)
WATCH – Ganadoras: Get Ready for the Paris 2024 Olympics
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