It was a touching scene as Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix, the talented diver, received support from her father, Fred Sirieix, after narrowly missing a medal in the 10-metre platform event.

The 19-year-old diver, who had already secured a bronze in the 10m synchro last week, finished sixth in this event, marking the second consecutive Olympics where she missed out on the podium.

In a heartwarming display of fatherly love, Fred, known for hosting *First Dates*, was seen comforting Andrea poolside, where he was working for the BBC.

As he wrapped his arm around her, Fred reassured her with encouraging words, saying, “It’s sport. Some days you win and some days you lose. And yesterday you did brilliant.” Andrea, maintaining her optimism, responded, “It doesn’t take away from the year.” Fred, showing his support, read out messages from friends and family, highlighting their pride in Andrea’s achievements.

Andrea fought back tears as she reflected on her mental health struggles since her Games debut in Tokyo 2021.

She shared, “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.”

Her focus now is on cherishing every moment, stating, “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.”

Family Bonding

After her event, Andrea found comfort in the stands with her parents, Fred and Alessandra.

She expressed how significant their presence was, noting, “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.”

She added that her main goal was simply to have her family witness her compete at such a high level.

Accepting the Outcome

Andrea had hoped to clinch a second medal in her individual event, especially after coming in as the world bronze medallist.

However, a less-than-ideal second dive set her back, and despite a strong finish, she was unable to recover and secure a medal.

Reflecting on her performance, Andrea said, “Not getting a medal today does not take away from the medal I have received and the achievements I have done the whole three years since Tokyo.”

Proud Parent’s Perspective

Fred, clearly proud of his daughter, spoke to the BBC about his feelings. He said, “What I love about my daughter is her positivity. Today she didn’t make it to the podium, but tomorrow she will be back to being happy, smiley Andrea.

Just enjoying life, enjoying Paris, and enjoying the moment.” He acknowledged the disappointment but emphasized, “This is sport. It’s brutal, and unfortunately, it wasn’t her day.”

A Year of Achievements

Despite falling short of a second medal, Andrea’s performance throughout the Paris Olympics has been commendable. She started strong with a score of 76.80 in her first dive but gradually slipped down the rankings in subsequent rounds. Her final dive of 81.60 was a highlight, bringing her total score to 345.50.

Her previous bronze medal in the women’s synchronised 10m platform dive remains a testament to her skill and resilience. Fred’s pride was evident as he spoke about his daughter’s achievements, celebrating her successful year and the remarkable journey she’s had.

TDPel Media

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