Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix, the daughter of First Dates presenter Fred, tearfully admitted she “didn’t want to be alive three years ago” moments after painfully missing out on a medal in the women’s 10m platform final.
The emotional Team GB star held back tears as she spoke to the BBC after finishing sixth in the event, ending her dreams of winning another medal at the Paris Olympics.
An emotional Spendolini-Sirieix told the BBC: “It obviously wasn’t the result I wanted but I’m not even upset with the competition, the girls put in an incredible effort.”
‘They did better than me today and it’s because they worked really hard. Like you said, it wasn’t meant to be that way. Honestly, I’m not trying to be macho or anything like that, I’m not upset with my performance.
“Three years ago I didn’t even want to be alive, so today I’m happy to be alive, to be breathing and to have my family supporting me.”
Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix tearfully admits she “didn’t want to be alive three years ago” moments after painfully missing out on a medal in the women’s 10m platform final.
The British team star held back tears after her brave effort in the 10m platform final.
First Dates host Fred Sirieix, pictured last month, was introduced for his daughter’s dives.
Team GB star receives tearful hug from coach after losing medal
She added: ‘My mother told me: ‘Keep smiling, we love you. We are here to see you.’ At the end of the day, that’s all I can ask for.
‘I just want to go see them.’
Speaking about her performance at the Games, where she already has a bronze medal under her belt, Spendolini-Sirieix said: ‘I’m very happy to be here, to be at the Olympic Games. It’s been a very long year and that doesn’t take anything away from my achievements.
“The fact that I haven’t won a medal doesn’t change my way of being. It’s God’s way of telling us that we still have a lot to do. I give all the glory to God.”
Having already claimed bronze in the women’s 10m synchronised platform event at the Paris Olympics, the British team star fell just short of winning her second medal on Tuesday.
The 19-year-old got off to a promising start after her first jump earned her a score of 76.80, placing her fourth in the standings early on.
However, the next three rounds saw Spendolini-Sirieix drop down the rankings and lose the medal positions.
She scored 62.40, 64.50 and 60.20 in rounds two to four before finishing with a brilliant – and best – vault of 81.60, leaving her with a total score of 345.50.
Spendolini-Sirieix captured the hearts of nations when she claimed a brilliant bronze last week, leaving her famous father “bursting with pride” in a post-event interview.
Spendolini-Sirieix blows a kiss to his loved ones in the stands of the aquatic centre
Spendolini-Sirieix missed out on a medal in the women’s 10m platform final
The 19-year-old, daughter of First Dates host Fred, has gotten off to a promising start.
But the British star fell down the rankings over the five rounds on Tuesday afternoon.
Spendolini-Sirieix and 24-year-old Lois Toulson produced a brilliant jump in the final round to claim the final podium spot after falling down the leaderboard following a sub-par third jump.
They looked to be out of medal contention but rallied impressively to claim 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 like a rollercoaster between you girls,” Sirieix said, eliciting a chuckle from the GB pair.
“You really set me on the right path, but that last jump was spectacular. You knew you had to give it your all and you did it. It was incredible.”
“I’m in awe of what they’ve achieved. It’s an incredible journey for them, they’ve won a medal, they’ve shown their class. I’m so impressed and so happy for them. I’m so proud I’m bursting at the seams.”
Spendolini-Sirieix, 19 (right) and Lois Toulson, 24 (left) both won bronze earlier in the Games.
Andrea (second from right) is the daughter of First Dates presenter Fred Sirieix (right).