Sometimes, even the strongest athletes need to hit pause — and that’s exactly what Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix is doing right now.
The 20-year-old diving star, who’s known not just for her Olympic medal but for her openness around mental health, has made the tough decision to pull out of the upcoming World Championships in Singapore.
Her reason? Mental blocks. And in her words, this season has been more of a mental battle than a physical one.
Making the Tough Call to Step Back
Andrea shared the news herself on social media, explaining that pushing through the struggles just wasn’t helping anymore.
“I’ve had a tough battle with mental blocks in diving this season, and I’ve tried to fight through them,” she wrote.
“But I’ve decided it would be best for me to take a break from the pool.”
Instead of pushing on for the sake of competition, she’s choosing rest — something she admits doesn’t come naturally to athletes.
“As an athlete, the words ‘rest’ and ‘break’ are foreign,” she added, “but I know this period will greatly help me in the long run.”
Support Behind the Scenes
Andrea, the daughter of TV personality Fred Sirieix, was quick to thank those holding her up right now: her coach, family, and the Aquatics GB support team.
She made it clear she isn’t going through this alone.
Though she’s gutted to be missing the World Championships, she expressed love for her teammates and international diving friends — and confidence they’ll shine in Singapore.
This Isn’t Her First Time Battling the Block
If this feels familiar, that’s because Andrea has been open in the past about struggling with mental blocks.
She once compared it to the “twisties” experienced by gymnasts — a mental freeze where your body doesn’t do what you’ve trained it to.
After her debut at the Tokyo Olympics, where she finished sixth, Andrea made headlines not just for her performance but for her honesty.
“Three years ago, I didn’t even want to be alive,” she told the BBC at the time, overcome with emotion.
“So today, I’m just happy that I am alive… and that I’ve got my family to support me.”
Fighting Back in Paris
Despite her struggles, Andrea bounced back in a big way.
At the Paris Olympics last year, she won a bronze medal in the synchronised 10m platform with Lois Toulson.
And though she narrowly missed a second medal in the solo event — finishing sixth — her resilience was clear.
After Paris, she posted a heartfelt message on Instagram:
“My heart is overflowing… I give God all the glory…
Today I gained a hunger and fire to want to do more, to push and to work harder.”
It wasn’t about disappointment. It was about gratitude — for her family, her coach, and just the gift of waking up in the morning.
A Family That’s Been There Through It All
Fred Sirieix, known for First Dates, has always been one of Andrea’s biggest cheerleaders.
After her Paris performance, he told the BBC how proud he was of her ability to bounce back.
“What I love about my daughter is her positivity… You and your brother are the best thing I have ever done and will ever do,” he shared online.
Andrea, meanwhile, credits her family with getting her through the darkest times — and insists their presence at her Olympic journey meant everything.
“They’ve seen me at my lowest,” she said.
“And now they’ve seen me compete at the Olympic Games. That’s all I really wanted.”
Finding Peace in the Pause
Andrea’s choice to step back is not a retreat — it’s a show of strength.
She’s choosing to prioritise her mental health, get the support she needs, and hopefully come back stronger when she’s ready.
Her story is a reminder that even Olympic athletes aren’t immune to the pressures life throws at them.
But with support, honesty, and rest, healing is possible.