A tearful Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix, the daughter of First Dates host Fred, has bravely admitted she ‘didn’t want to be alive three years ago’ just moments after agonisingly missing out on a medal in the women’s 10m platform final.
The emotional Team GB star choke back tears as she spoke to the BBC after finishing sixth in the event, ending her dreams of claiming another medal at the Paris Olympics.
An emotional Spendolini-Sirieix told the BBC: ‘Obviously it wasn’t the result that I wanted, but I’m not even upset with the competition, the girls dove amazing.
‘They did better than me today and it’s because they work really hard. As you said, it wasn’t meant to be. Genuinely, I’m not trying to macho or anything I’m not upset with my performance.
‘Three years ago I didn’t even wanna be alive, so today I’m just happy I’m alive, I’m breathing and I’ve got my family to support me.’
A tearful Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix bravely admits she ‘didn’t want to be alive three years ago’ just moments after agonisingly missing out on a medal in the women’s 10m platform final
The Team GB star choked back tears after her valiant effort in the 10m platform final
Spendolini-Sirieix blows a kiss to her loved ones in the stands at the Aquatics centre
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She added: ‘My mum said, “Just keep smiling – we love you. We’re here to see you.” At the end of the day, that’s all I can ask for.
‘I just want to go see them.’
On her performance at the Games where she already has a bronze medal to her name, Spendolini-Sirieix said: ‘I’m so happy to be here, to be at the Olympic Games. it’s been a really long year and it doesn’t take away from my accomplishments.
‘Just missing out on one medal doesn’t change who I am so it’s just God’s way of saying that we’ve got a lot more to do. I just give God all the glory.’
Having already claimed the bronze in the women’s synchronised 10m platform dive earlier in the Paris Olympics, the Team GB star just fell short of winning her second medal on Tuesday.
The 19-year-old got off to a promising start after her first dive scored her a 76.80, putting her fourth in the standings early on.
However, Spendolini-Sirieix’s next three rounds saw her slip down the rankings, seeing the teen slip out of the medal positions.
She would score 62.40, 64.50, 60.20 in rounds two through four before finishing off with a brilliant – and best dive – of 81.60, leaving her with a total score of 345.50.
Spendolini-Sirieix captured the hearts of the nations when she claimed a brilliant bronze last week, leaving her famous father ‘bursting with pride’ in a post-event interview.
Spendolini-Sirieix missed out on a medal in the women’s 10m platform final
The 19-year-old, who is the daughter of First Dates host Fred, got off to a promising start
But the British star fell down the rankings over the five rounds on Tuesday afternoon
Spendolini-Sirieix and Lois Toulson, 24, produced a brilliant last-round dive to snatch the final spot on the podium after falling down the leaderboard following a below-par third dive.
They looked to be out of medal contention, but bounced back impressively to snatch bronze, and Sirieix was delighted for the pair as he spoke to his daughter live on the BBC after they shared a warm embrace.
‘What a competition! It’s always a rollercoaster with you girls,’ Sirieix said, bringing a giggle from the GB pair.
‘You really took me around the bend and through the middle. But that last dive, that was spectacular. You knew you had to put it through and you pulled it back. It was amazing.
‘I’m in awe with what they’ve achieved. It’s an amazing journey for them, they’ve won a medal, they’ve shown their class. I’m just very impressed and very happy for you. I’m so proud, I’m bursting.’
More to follow
Spendolini-Sirieix, 19, (right) and Lois Toulson, 24, (left) won bronze earlier in the Games
Andrea (second right) is the daughter of First Dates host Fred Sirieix (right)
