Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix breaks down at Olympics after failing to medal
Team Great Britain diver Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix made a serious admission after she finished sixth in the women’s 10-meter platform final at the 2024 Paris Olympics on Tuesday.
The 19-year-old Olympian — whose father is French chef and television personality, Fred Sirieix — was in tears while opening up about her past mental health struggles in an interview after the event.
“Obviously it wasn’t the result that I wanted, but I’m not even upset at the competition. I mean, the girls dove amazing and did better than me and it’s because they work really hard. And yeah, as you said, it wasn’t meant to be,” Spendolini-Sirieix said through tears. “Genuinely, I’m not trying to be macho or anything. I’m not upset with my performance.
“Three years ago, I didn’t even want to be alive. So today, I’m just happy that I’m alive, I’m breathing and I’ve got my family here to support me.”
Spendolini-Sirieix finished seventh in the same event at the Tokyo Games three years ago.
2024 PARIS OLYMPICS
“My mom was like ‘Just keep smiling, we are proud of you and we are here to see you,’” she said of the moment she shared with her mother after Tuesday’s event. “And at the end of the day, that’s all I can ask for and I just want to go and see them.”
Her father was there as well, as he is working as a presenter for BBC Sport’s coverage, providing commentary and analysis at the Summer Games.
“Sirieix reposted his daughter’s interview on X, and wrote, “My love” with a red heart emoji.
He interviewed her for BBC Sport after she captured bronze in the synchronized 10m platform event with teammate Lois Toulson on Monday.
“What I love about my daughter is her positivity,” he told the outlet on Tuesday.
“Today she didn’t make it to the podium [in the women’s 10m platform final], tonight she is going to have a quiet night, and tomorrow she is back to being happy, smiley Andrea — just enjoying life, enjoying Paris, and enjoying the moment.
“That is Andrea. And that is beautiful because it is about balance. It is about knowing who you are and making the most of life, and that is what she is doing. So I am very happy for her.
“She had already shared an incredible moment with dad, Fred, last week when she earned herself an Olympic bronze.”
Taking to her Instagram, Spendolini-Sirieix thanked them for their support and vowed to return to the Olympics.
“Never give up. I will be back stronger,” she wrote.
After winning bronze on Monday, Spendolini-Sirieix became emotional while recalling the last two “crazy” years.
“I give glory to God and I’ve just grown so much of a person, and not just an athlete,” she said.
Spendolini-Sirieix was a three-time medallist at the 2024 World Championships: one gold (team) and two bronze (10m platform and 10m synchronized with Lois Toulson).
If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can dial the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention hotline at 988 or go to SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.
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