Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix delivers emotional assertion after Olympics

Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix has delivered an emotional statement, thanking her friends, family and those who supported her, after she had revealed that she ‘did not want to be alive’ three years ago.

The 19-year-old diving star had bravely made the confession earlier this week after she finished sixth in the individual 10m diving event.

She had clinched a bronze medal in the 10m synchronised diving alongside Lois Toulson last week but had also opened up on her struggles with anxiety after debuting at the Tokyo 2020 Games.

After finishing sixth, the British diver cut an emotional figure in the aquatics centre, before telling BBC Sport: ‘Three years ago, I didn’t even want to be alive.

‘So today I’m just happy that I am alive, that I’m breathing and that I’ve got my family to support me.’

Spendolini-Sirieix is the daughter of television star Fred Siriex, the Maitre’d of Channel 4‘s programme, First Dates. Alongside her brother, Matteo, the trio appeared to enjoy a night out together on Monday evening, celebrating her triumph at the Olympics in the French Capital.

Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix (second from right) enjoyed a night out with her dad, Fred (left), and brother Matteo (third from right) 

Spendolini-Sirieix missed out on a podium spot in the women’s 10m platform on Monday but posted several snaps of her enjoying an evening out in Paris with her family 

Spendolini-Sirieix had cut an emotional figure after she missed out on winning a second Olympic medal on Monday

But she took to Instagram to deliver her thanks to her friends, family and coach, Alex Doud 

Spendolini-Sirieix also took to Instagram to reflect on the games and thank her family, friends and coach, Alex Doud, for helping her on her journey.

‘Alive. Breath in my lungs. My heart is overflowing,’ the 19-year-old wrote on Instagram.

‘I can’t quite put into words how grateful I feel at this moment. The amount of support, encouragement and love is truly overwhelming. I give God all the glory because I really don’t know what I have done to deserve this amount of love. Sure, today wasn’t my day, but it doesn’t take away the hard work, dedication and achievements of this year. God is always good – whether I win a medal or not. Today I gained a hunger and fire to want to do more, to push and to work harder. I will be back stronger. That I can tell you for certain.’

Spendolini-Sirieix missed out on becoming the first British woman to claim two Olympic diving medals in the 10m platform on Monday, finishing sixth, with a score of 345.50.

China’s Quan Hongchan would go on to claim gold with her team-mate Chen Yuxi taking silver. north Korea‘s Kim Mi-rae took bronze.

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 tearful Team GB star receives a big hug from her coach after missing out on a medal

Her father, Fred, has been beaming with pride over his daughter’s achievements throughout the Games

Spendolini-Sirieix (centre) claimed bronze with Lois Toulson (right) in the women’s 10m synchronised diving 

‘There wasn’t a single tear of disappointment or sadness today,’ Spendolini-Sirieix added.

‘I was so overwhelmed by the amount of love, cheering and support, and being surrounded by my loved ones and seeing the smiles on their faces despite not getting that medal made me feel like the only girl in the world. I really enjoyed my Olympic experience this time around, and it was all the better because I could embrace my mum, dad and brother. 

‘Thank you @alespendolini @fred_sirieix @matteossirieix09 @ferna_1974 @sirieixfrancoise and all that came to watch me. You unconditionally love and support me – I wouldn’t be here without you. Thank you to everyone back home for cheering and supporting me. I love this sport. I love my family. I will cherish these memories forever.’

Addressing her coach, she added: ‘@alex.doud what a year it has been! You have been by my side since after Tokyo, and you healed a part of my heart that had been broken for a long time. I cannot thank you enough. God sent you as my angel. You are more than just a coach.

‘I have more to say, more people to thank, and not enough space to write it. I will take some time to share more of my testimony, but for today I want to leave you with this: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭28‬. There’s more that God has in store for me.

‘Thank you is not enough.’

Sirieix has also posted several messages on Twitter, writing: ‘My love’ with a duck and heart emoji

Spendolini-Sirieix blows a kiss to her loved ones in the stands at the Aquatics centre

Spendolini-Sirieix had previously opened up to Mail Sport on the difficulties she has had during her career, describing that she once endured a ‘mental block’ similar to the ‘twisties’ in gymnastics.

Her father, Fred, has been beaming with pride over his daughter’s achievements throughout the Games.

‘What I love about my daughter is her positivity,’ Sirieix told the BBC. ‘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.’

The BBC Sport pundit has been seen overcome with joy and emotion inside the Aquatics Centre in the past week watching his daughter perform.

‘Thank you for this incredible adventure and the inspiration Andrea. What a beautiful moment! You and your brother are the best thing I have ever done and will ever do #lavieestbelle,’ Sirieix posted on his Instagram on Monday, alongside a video of his daughter competing.

‘I woke up this morning and the first thought that I had was that I am happy I woke up. That’s just how it has been for a long time,’ Spendolini-Sirieix added

Sirieix came down to the pool to console his daughter, with Spendolini-Sirieix welling up after her final dive.

She added to the BBC: ‘After Tokyo, it was a really scary time for myself. That is why I treasure every morning because my eyes have woken up and I have got breath in my lungs.

‘I woke up this morning and the first thought that I had was that I am happy I woke up. That’s just how it has been for a long time.

‘In that time, I stuck very close to my family and that’s why it means everything for them to be here because they have seen me at my lowest and now they have seen me compete at the Olympic Games. That’s all I really wanted.’