PHOENIX, Arizona, January 12. TWO sets of friends and families are currently mourning the untimely passing of a pair of swimmers.<\/p>\n
According to a press release, Cal State Bakersfield men's swimmer Alexy Belyy collapsed in his apartment Friday afternoon and was later confirmed dead by doctors at Mercy Hospital in Bakersfield.<\/p>\n
The 26-year-old Rostov On Don, Russia, native complained of chest pains shortly after returning to his off-campus apartment from Friday afternoon's practice. According to his two roommates, both members of the Roadrunner swim team, Belyy passed out around 4 p.m. The two called 911 and performed CPR until paramedics arrived.<\/p>\n
Belyy was taken by ambulance to Bakersfield's Mercy Hospital in Bakersfield where it was reported that he never regained consciousness. The cause of death has yet to be determined.<\/p>\n
Belyy, a breaststroke and freestyle sprint swimmer, was in the midst of a standout senior season for the 'Runners, recently winning titles in three events at the Las Vegas Invitational. Belyy also holds the CSUB school record in the 400 yard individual medley, a mark he achieved in his third place finish at the American Short Course Championships last February.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, 20-year-old Rubmartin Gustavo Escobar, a Swedish swimmer from Hasselby in Florida to train with his team at the Coral Springs Aquatic Complex, was struck by an SUV while waiting on a sidewalk corner to cross the street.<\/p>\n
According to a Sun-Sentinel<\/i> article, "A friend of Escobar's told police they were athletes visiting from Sweden to practice swimming at the Coral Springs Aquatic Complex. An employee at the complex confirmed a Swedish swim team has been using the premises. They had been in the country since Dec. 27 and were scheduled to return home Jan. 15."<\/p>\n
Swimming World sends its condolences to the friends and family of both young men.<\/b><\/p>\n