Spendolini-Sirieix to miss Worlds with 'mental blocks'

Great Britain's Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix has announced that she will not participate in the upcoming 2025 World Aquatics Championships due to ongoing struggles with 'mental blocks' in her diving performance. The championships are scheduled to take place in Singapore from July 11 to August 3. Spendolini-Sirieix, who gained recognition for winning a bronze medal in the synchronized 10m platform event at the 2024 Paris Olympics alongside her teammate Lois Toulson, expressed her disappointment in a recent social media post. She stated that despite her efforts to overcome these mental challenges, she believes it is in her best interest to take a break from competitive diving to focus on her mental health and well-being.

In her announcement, Spendolini-Sirieix expressed gratitude for the support she has received from her family, coach, and the Aquatics GB support team. She acknowledged that taking time off from competition is a difficult decision for an athlete, as concepts like 'rest' and 'break' are often foreign to them. However, she emphasized the importance of this period for her long-term recovery and growth. Although she feels sad about missing the opportunity to compete alongside her teammates and friends in Singapore, she is optimistic about their performances and looks forward to watching them excel at the championships. This decision highlights the growing recognition of mental health issues in sports and the importance of prioritizing mental well-being in the face of competitive pressures.