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Team GB bronze medallist Spendolini-Sirieix hails "pioneer for diving" Daley
Written by Sports Desk. Posted in Olympics. | 08 August 2024 | 167 Views
Tags: Athletics, Diving, Exclusive Interview, Olympics

Tom Daley is a "pioneer for diving" who "brings the fun", so says his Team GB team-mate Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix.

Spendolini-Sirieix claimed bronze at the Paris Olympics in the women's synchronised 10m platform, alongside Lois Toulson.

It is the 19-year-old's first medal. She was Team GB's youngest diver at the Tokyo Games at just 16.

Daley also made an early Olympic debut, competing in Beijing in 2008 at 14 years old. Now 30, he added to an already stellar medal collection in Paris, winning silver in the men's synchronised 10m platform with Noah Williams.

And Spendolini-Sirieix is grateful for the influence Daley has had on both her and the sport.

"I really feel like Tom has been the pioneer for diving. He’s really put diving on the map," she said while speaking to Stats Perform at Adidas house.

Daley became the first British diver to win four Olympic medals when he took gold in the 10m synchro at Tokyo 2020 with partner Matty Lee, to add to his three bronze from previous Games.

“Tom has done so much for our sport and as a team-mate, he's been really, really supportive," added Spendolini-Sirieix.

"He makes us laugh with his terrible dad jokes. But he just brings the fun, he brings the excitement and he brings the energy."

Asked whether she thought Daley would compete in Los Angeles in 2028, Spendolini-Sirieix was unsure, but partner Toulson chipped in: "It wouldn't surprise me, knowing Tom."

Just as his personality away from the pool is infectious, Daley's success in it has also rubbed off on the rest of his team.

In Paris, Team GB have the second-best medal haul in diving, only second to China.

They made history by winning medals in all synchro events, with one silver and three bronze.

"Now I really do feel like we've all put diving on the map, and that's the power of sport, it's the power of the Olympics,” said Spendolini-Sirieix, who also finished sixth in the women's 10m platform.

"We can really broadcast the hard work that we've been putting on. And I really do hope that more people tune into diving and try diving, because it's really a beautiful and unique sport."

Spendolini-Sirieix argues that such a feat would not be possible without the support of those behind the scenes.

"We are the ones that are diving, but we really feel like everyone dives with us in our hearts and with us behind our backs. It takes a village to create an athlete," she said.

"Having our family here as well to celebrate with us is the best part. It’s honestly the most amazing feeling."