Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix broke down crying in an interview after losing her second Olympic medal in Paris, as the British teenage diver opened up about her struggles with mental health.
Spendolini-Sirieix previously won bronze in women’s 10m platform synchronized diving with partner Lois Toulson.
However, in the women’s individual 10m platform final she fell short of a medal.
The British diver has already won a medal at these games. Photo: AP
But the 19-year-old left the event proud of her performance after opening up about her struggles with mental health, saying “three years ago I didn’t even want to be alive”.
“Yes, obviously it wasn’t the result I wanted, but I’m not even upset about the competition. [who won] they were incredible. They did better than me today and it’s because they worked hard,” said Spendolini-Sirieix, in an interview with the BBC.
She added: “It wasn’t meant to be.
“I’m not genuinely, I’m not even trying to be sexist, I’m not upset with my performances, three years ago I didn’t even want to be alive.
“So today I’m happy to be alive, breathing, I have my family to support me.”
Spendolini-Sirieix is the daughter of First Dates host Fred Sirieix and Italian mother Alex Spendolini.
She added: “I’m very happy to be here, to be at the Olympic Games. It’s been a very long year and it doesn’t take away from my accomplishments this year and losing a medal doesn’t take away from who I am.”
Fred Sirieix, father of British Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix at the Aquatic Center. Photo: PA
Spendolini-Sirieix qualified for Tuesday’s final third and a strong early dive left her off the podium.
However, a poor second round saw her fall down the table after scoring 62.40 and she was seventh after the fourth round.
She finished well with 81.60 in her final dive, but had to settle for sixth place.
China’s Quan Hongchan finished with gold in the individual event, her teammate Chen Yuxi took silver, and North Korea’s Kim Mi Rae finished with bronze.
This isn’t the first time the diver has spoken out about her struggles with mental health.
At previous Olympics, aged just 16, she suffered what were later identified as “twisties” – where an athlete loses track of where they are in the air.
Fearing she wouldn’t perform at her best, she was left “struggling a lot in all areas of life,” she told Olympics.com.
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The young woman later participated in her first Olympics worried that she would “disappoint everyone” and after the games, she considered quitting, she said.
In 2021, she began confiding in family, friends, and coaches about her struggles with mental health.
The year turned out to be a landmark year for her, seeing her win double European gold, two Commonwealth titles and a bronze medal at the World Championships.
Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK.
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