- Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix says she has been struggling with ‘mental blocks’
- The Olympic bronze medal winner will therefore not compete in Singapore
- Spendolini-Sirieix has previously been open about her mental health struggles
Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix has pulled out of this year’s diving World Championships in Singapore due to ‘mental blocks’.
The 20-year-old Olympic bronze medal winner shared the update on social media and said she is choosing to take a break from competition.
Spendolini-Sirieix – daughter of popular TV star Fred Sirieix – wrote: ‘Unfortunately, I won’t be attending the World Championships this year in Singapore.
‘I’ve had a tough battle with mental blocks in diving this season, and I’ve tried to fight through them, but I’ve decided it would be best for me to take a break from the pool.
‘I am getting all the help I need from my family, my coach and my support team at Aquatics GB and I am so thankful for their love and support.
‘As an athlete, the words ‘rest’ and ‘break’ are foreign, but I know that this period will greatly help me in the long run.
‘I am sad to not be joining my team and international friends out in Singapore, but I know they will do amazingly and I can’t wait to see them shine.’
This is not the first time a ‘mental block’ has afflicted her. Spendolini-Sirieix had previously opened up to Mail Sport on the difficulties she has had during her career, describing that she once endured the problem similar to the ‘twisties’ in gymnastics.
After making her debut at the Tokyo Olympics, where she finished sixth, she cut an emotional figure and told the BBC: ‘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 father, star of channel four’s First Dates, was there watching on four years later in what was a hugely emotional time.
But she fought back to win bronze at the Paris Olympics last year alongside Lois Toulson in the synchronised 10m platform diving.
She missed out on becoming the first British woman to claim two Olympic diving medals in the 10m platform, finishing sixth, with a score of 345.50.
After the Paris Games she took to Instagram to reflect on the experience and lifted the lid on previous battles against poor mental health.
‘Alive. Breath in my lungs. My heart is overflowing,’ the then 19-year-old wrote at the time.
‘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. 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.’
‘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. 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.’
Her father, Fred, beamed with pride over his daughter’s achievements throughout the Games in Paris.
‘What I love about my daughter is her positivity,’ Sirieix told the BBC at the time. ‘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.
‘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.
Following her final dive in Paris, Spendolini-Sirieix was overcome with emotion and said: ‘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.’
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