Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix 'didn't want to be alive' as Team GB diver breaks down in emotional interview
Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix gave an emotional interview to BBC after the competition
BBC
Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix was fighting back tears during her post-event interview at the Paris Olympics on Tuesday where she revealed that she 'didn't want to be alive' three years ago.
The Team GB diver was bidding for her second medal of the Olympics in the women's 10m platform.
She impressed in the semi-finals with the third-best score, setting her up for a possible bronze behind Chinese sensations Quan Hongchan and Chen Yuxi.
But it wasn't to be for the 19-year-old as she finished sixth before rushing to her family after her final dive in tears.
Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix gave an emotional interview to BBC after the competition
BBC
Spendolini-Sirieix was still emotional when speaking to the BBC and detailed her own mental journey to get to the Paris Olympics.
"Obviously it wasn't the result that I wanted but I'm not even upset with the competition," she said.
"The girls dove amazing, they dove better than me today and it's because they work really hard.
"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 I'm alive, I'm breathing and I've got my family to support me."
Spendolini-Sirieix went on to praise the support she's received from her family on her journey to the Olympics.
She added: "My mum was like, 'just keep smiling, we're proud of you, we're here to see you'.
"At the end of the day, that's all I can ask for and I just want to go and see them."
The teenager finished sixth in the women's 10m platform
REUTERS
The teenager was competing in her first Olympic Games having won six global medals in the previous two years.
She won bronze in the women's 10m platform at the world championships in Doha earlier this year to go with the gold in the team event and bronze in the synchro.
The former world junior champion added an Olympic bronze alongside Lois Toulson in the 10m synchro.
LATEST SPORT NEWS:
- Olympics GOLD: Keely Hodgkinson storms to victory in 800m final as she brings home Team GB's first Athletics medal in Paris
- Olympics viewers spot BBC gaffe moments before Keely Hodgkinson won 800m gold for Great Britain
- Olympics boxing row turns into shambles as IBA hold car crash two-hour press conference
Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix already won bronze alongside Lois Toulson in the synchro
GETTY
It wasn't to be in the individual event, but Spendolini-Sirieix is concentrating on the positives.
"I'm so happy to be here, to be at the Olympic Games," she concluded.
"It doesn't take away from my accomplishments this year. Just missing out on one medal doesn't change who I am.
"I think it was God's way of saying, 'we've still got a lot more to do' and I just give God all the glory."
You may like
