My dad’s a reality TV star and BBC pundit for Paris 2024 Olympics – I’m making my own way and chasing Team GB gold
ANDREA SPENDOLINI-SIRIEIX has Team GB’s longest moniker but she wants to create a name for herself – and emerge fully from her dad’s famous shadow.
The London-born teenager is a world-class diver but she is often referred to simply as Fred’s daughter.
That is because Fred Sirieix, 52, gained fame from his stint as a maître d’hôtel on Channel 4’s First Dates show.
But as she heads into a second Olympic experience – her dad will be there as a BBC pundit – people are now recognising her exploits jumping off the 10 metres platform.
Spendolini-Sirieix told SunSport: “At the beginning, all I got was that I was Fred’s daughter. I wasn’t Andrea.
“Then people realised, she’s more than just someone’s daughter, she has a lot more to say.
“I feel like that has helped me come out of this shadow. I’m really proud of my dad.
“And he does incredible things. But I want to build my own legacy.
“Also for my children in the future. I don’t want them to just be someone’s daughter or someone’s son. I want them to be their own person.
“I’m being recognised for the achievements that I have, not just from being 50% of someone’s DNA.
BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS
“It’s been a progression since Tokyo. I’ve grown into the woman that I am today.
“Everything has progressed and it’s so nice to have my own identity.”
Spendolini-Sirieix, who is mature beyond her young years, went to the Covid-affected Tokyo Olympics aged 16 and she qualified for the final where she ranked seventh.
In Paris, she will do the individual and synchro events from the scary height of 10 metres.
Spendolini-Sirieix, who will begin studying journalism after these Games, said: “Last time, I experienced a very warped version of the Olympics.
BBC's Olympics line-up in full
Presenters:
- Clare Balding
- Gabby Logan
- Hazel Irvine
- Isa Guha
- Jeanette Kwakye
- JJ Chalmers
- Mark Chapman
Studio guests:
- Beth Tweddle
- Chris Hoy
- Denise Lewis
- Fred Sirieix
- Jessica Ennis-Hill
- Kate Richardson-Walsh
- Katherine Grainger
- Laura Kenny
- Mark Foster
- Michael Johnson
- Nicola Adams
- Rebecca Adlington
- Tonia Couch
Radio:
- Adrian Chiles
- Eleanor Oldroyd
- Kelly Cates
- Mark Chapman
- Naga Munchetty
- Tony Livesey
“So, going into Paris. I really want to enjoy the competition environment.
“I want to enjoy the experience as a whole and I’m going out there to do my best.
“In Japan, you had to wear a mask everywhere. We couldn’t eat face-to-face with each other. There were glass screens in front of us.
What's happening today at The Games?
WHAT TO WATCH TODAY...
THE PARIS 2024 Olympics started with a stunning Opening Ceremony – and now the Games really do begin.
SunSport brings you all the action taking place in the French capital on a thrilling first full day.
Josh Tarling and Anna Henderson are both in road cycling time trial action along the streets of Paris (from 1.30pm), leading today’s Brit medal hopes.
Michael Bargeron and Seonaid McIntosh team up in the 10m mixed shooting trying to win the first gold of the 2024 Games (10am).
In diving, 3m synchro pair Yasmin Harper and Scarlett Mew Jensen could medal (10am).
And Team GB expect a medal from their swimmers in both of the 4x100m freestyle relays (8.30pm).
While three-time Olympic gold medallist Adam Peaty begins his quest for 100m breaststroke glory (heat 10.30am, semi-final 8.15pm).
And Max Whitlock is eyeing a pommel horse medal for a fourth Games in a row as gymnastics qualifying gets underway (10am).
Click here for all the events taking place at Paris 2024 today.
Follow all the action as it unfolds with our Paris 2024 Olympics LIVE blog.
“I was so far away from home. I didn’t have any of my family with me that entire year.
“Mentally I was gone. I was shattered. I wasn’t doing well mentally at all. I went out there quite depressed.
“It just wasn’t a great experience for me and it hurts to say that because it was my first Olympic Games.
“I am just looking forward to Paris to make the memories that I didn’t get to make in Tokyo.
“And actually having my family there to celebrate, support and encourage me, that’s gonna make a hell of a difference.”
Andrea Spendolini-Spirieux is a sports ambassador for Toyota GB supporting the Start Your Impossible campaign.
