Featured Image Credit: BBC
Topics: Mental Health, Olympics, Sport, UK News
Kit Roberts
An Olympic athlete made a heart-wrenching confession after participating in the diving.
Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix had been competing in the final for the women’s 10m platform.
The 19-year-old had already taken home the bronze in the 10m synchronised diving along with her teammate, Lois Toulson.
After her impressive performance in the synchronised event, she had been expected to be going for a medal in the individual as well.
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However, Spendolini-Sirieix was not on her best form in the individuals and placed sixth overall, being reduced to tears after her final dive.
Following the final dive, she spoke to the BBC in an emotional interview, and made a heartbreaking admission.
Starting the interview, she paid tribute to her competitors, saying: "Obviously it’s not the result I wanted but I’m not even upset with the competition.
"The other girls were amazing, they were better than me. It wasn’t meant to be. I’m genuinely not trying to be macho, I’m not upset with my performance."
In a brave and candid admission, she then said that she had been struggling so much with her mental health that she had not wanted to 'be alive'.
She said: "Three years ago, I didn’t even want to be alive so today I’m just happy I’m alive, I’m breathing and I’ve got my family to support me."
Following the final, Spendolini-Sirieix ran to her mom in the stands.
Revealing what her mom told her, she said: "My mum told me to just keep smiling and she said she was proud of me and they were here to see me.
"At the end of the day, that’s all I can ask for."
She went on to talk about how she felt glad to be there that day, despite the disappointing result.
She said: "I’m so happy to be here, to be at the Olympic Games. It’s been a really long year and it doesn’t take away from my accomplishments this year.
"Just missing out on one medal doesn’t change who I am. It was just God’s way of saying there is more to do and I just give God all the glory."
She is also just 19-years-old and has many years of diving at Olympic level ahead of her.
Diving expert Karen Pickering praised the teenager, saying on BBC 5Live: "She finished with a stunning dive. That was a lovely, lovely final dive there.
"A piece of class from Andrea. It has been difficult for her today, she hasn’t dived as well as she did in the semi-finals yesterday.
"We can see the tears are coming now. But to step up in the final dive and produce the best one that she has for the session shows her class."
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available through Mental Health America. Call or text 988 to reach a 24-hour crisis center or you can webchat at 988lifeline.org. You can also reach the Crisis Text Line by texting MHA to 741741.