Teenager Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix missed out on creating history as the first British woman to win two Olympic diving medals as she finished sixth in the 10m platform at Paris 2024.
Having claimed bronze alongside Lois Toulson in the synchronised event last week, Spendolini-Sirieix hoped to repeat the medal success in Tuesday's individual event.
After her final dive, the 19-year-old from London became emotional as she was consoled by her coach.
She later spoke of her pride at coming through mental health struggles and going on to enjoy Olympic success.
"It wasn't meant to be," Spendolini-Sirieix said.
"Three years ago I didn't even want to be alive, so today I'm just happy that I am alive, I'm breathing and I've got my family to support me."
Spendolini-Sirieix had high hopes of creating another magical moment for Team GB, having produced a superb performance to place third in Monday's semi-finals.
However, she could not match that level during the final.
Even if she had, it would have been difficult to surpass the brilliance of Chinese pair Quan Hongchan and Chen Yuxi.
Quan, 17, won gold to defend the title she won as a 14-year-old in Tokyo, having made a strong statement with a perfect 10 in her opening dive.
Team-mate Chen, 18, took silver as they replicated their one-two at the previous Games.
North Korea's Kim Mi Rae won bronze.
Watched by her father Fred Sirieix - the television personality who stars in First Dates - Spendolini-Sirieix looked emotional when she was consoled after her final dive.
"Obviously it wasn't the result that I wanted," Spendolini-Sirieix told BBC Sport, adding that her rivals had been "amazing" and dived better than her.
Having claimed bronze alongside Lois Toulson in the synchronised event last week, Spendolini-Sirieix hoped to repeat the medal success in Tuesday's individual event.
After her final dive, the 19-year-old from London became emotional as she was consoled by her coach.
She later spoke of her pride at coming through mental health struggles and going on to enjoy Olympic success.
"It wasn't meant to be," Spendolini-Sirieix said.
"Three years ago I didn't even want to be alive, so today I'm just happy that I am alive, I'm breathing and I've got my family to support me."
Spendolini-Sirieix had high hopes of creating another magical moment for Team GB, having produced a superb performance to place third in Monday's semi-finals.
However, she could not match that level during the final.
Even if she had, it would have been difficult to surpass the brilliance of Chinese pair Quan Hongchan and Chen Yuxi.
Quan, 17, won gold to defend the title she won as a 14-year-old in Tokyo, having made a strong statement with a perfect 10 in her opening dive.
Team-mate Chen, 18, took silver as they replicated their one-two at the previous Games.
North Korea's Kim Mi Rae won bronze.
Watched by her father Fred Sirieix - the television personality who stars in First Dates - Spendolini-Sirieix looked emotional when she was consoled after her final dive.
"Obviously it wasn't the result that I wanted," Spendolini-Sirieix told BBC Sport, adding that her rivals had been "amazing" and dived better than her.
 |
Comments
Post a Comment