Diver Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix named BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year

Swim England talent diver Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix has been named as the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year 2020.

The sixteen-year-old was up against footballer Jude Bellingham and Paralympic skier Neil Simpson.

The announcement was made on the Blue Peter show followed by an interview with Spendolini-Sirieix.

On winning YSPOTY, she said: “It feels amazing, I feel over the moon.

“I am going so far in my sport and I enjoy it so much because my dream is the Olympics and I know that I can get there if I carry on with what I’m doing.

“All the hours, all the tears, all the ups and the downs are really worth it.

“When I first started training I was spotted by Crystal Palace Diving Club and because I was a gymnast I was quite flexible and quite strong so that obviously helped me.

“I kept going and I did extra days and I stopped my gymnastics, I stopped my swimming and I just focused on diving and my love grew. I’m just so excited!”

Suzie Collins, Swim England talent officer for diving, said: “It has been a pleasure to watch Andrea grow and develop throughout her diving journey.

Formidable combination

“From her selection onto the England Talent Pathway to her first national representation in Montreal, Canada, onto to the British Diving World Class programme and now winner of the Young Sports Personality of the Year 2020.

“Andrea has always been a fantastic team member and throughout her junior career has always supported the younger athletes around her.

“Her positive bubbly personality alongside her extremely strong work ethic is a formidable combination that I am looking forward to watching in the coming years.”

Spendolini-Sirieix won her maiden British title in the Women’s 10m Platform at the British National Diving Championships 2020 in January.

The following month, she landed her first solo international gold medal as she triumphed in the Women’s Platform event at the FINA Diving Grand Prix in Rostock.

She will pick up her trophy during the 2020 BBC Sports Personality of the Year award ceremony on Sunday 20 December.