Teenage diver Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix broke down in tears today after agonisingly missing out on a second Olympics medal – then bravely opened up about her recovery from personal struggles.
The 19-year-old revealed she ‘didn’t want to be alive three years ago’ in a heartrending interview just moments after finishing sixth in the women’s 10m platform final.
It came six days after her First Dates host father Fred was the one in tears – of pride – when she and Lois Toulson clinched bronze in the synchronised 10m event.
THE EMOTIONAL STATEMENT
In the emotional immediate aftermath of today’s display, Spendolini-Sirieix welled up as she 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.Â
‘They did better than me today and it’s because they work really hard. 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 want to be alive, so today I’m just happy I’m alive, I’m breathing and I’ve got my family to support me.
‘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.’
PAPA IS PROUD OF DAUGHTER
First Dates star Fred told the BBC today how ‘proud’ he was of his ‘little girl’, after he and her mother Alessandra consoled her in the stands.
He said: ‘What I love about my daughter is her positivity. Today she didn’t make it to the podium, 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.’
