Terrifying Scene at Swim Meet: 20-Year-Old Stanford Athlete Found Floating Face Down — Officials Rush In as Spectators Freeze

This is the horrifying moment a Stanford University swimmer struggles during a race before collapsing when she exited the pool.

Sophomore Addison Sauickie had been competing in the 2026 ACC Swimming and Diving Championships in Atlanta on Wednesday.

The 20-year-old was in the middle of a lap during the 500-yard freestyle when she suddenly began floating face down for a few seconds. She then recovered and managed to make it to the finish line.

Addison Sauickie smiling on a beach.
Sophomore Addison Sauickie had been competing in the 2026 ACC Swimming and Diving Championships in Atlanta on Wednesday.Instagram/@addisonsauickie

A swimming competition with nine lanes showing swimmer's names and college affiliations, and "Heat 3" of "500Y Freestyle" displayed.
A swimming competition with nine lanes showing swimmer’s names and college affiliations, and “Heat 3” of “500Y Freestyle” displayed.Youtube/SwimSwam

A second video, taken by SwimSwamTV, showed her later remaining in her lane in the pool after all the other competitors had left the water.

Addison, a four-time World Junior Championship medalist, stayed there so long other competitors started lining up to take their spot for the next race.

Eventually a marshal came to her aid.

But once her feet hit the ground, she collapsed to the floor, before she was helped up by several bystanders on to a chair.

Addison was then able to leave the pool with a coach after “around five minutes.”

A swimming competition with nine lanes showing swimmer's names and college affiliations, and "Heat 3" of "500Y Freestyle" displayed.
Picture of Stanford swimmer needing help out of pool onto deck, before she collapses.Youtube/SwimSwam

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Swimmers on starting blocks next to a pool with lane assignments and scores during a championship event.
The sophmore Stanford Swimmer needed assistance and the end of her race.Youtube/SwimSwam
Two days later, exactly what happened and if she will be able to continue in the competition is up in the air, as she is still listed on the preliminary sheet for Saturday’s 100-yard freestyle event, SFGATE reports.