Brittany O’Brien finished 15th in the Women’s 10 metre platform event after called up with only a week’s notice due to an injury to her fellow Aussie diver Brittany Broban.

“Prior to her call-up, she had been sick for a week, but battled on,” proud grandad Frank said. “Her studies were put on hold for the duration.”

He said Brittany was very nervous in her early dives, but made it to the semi-finals.

“She was up against some very experienced divers, and was encouraged by the strong support of her teammates,” he said.

She is now back in Sydney, still training hard, and is looking forward to some time in Narooma around Christmas.

“She will not be diving off the Narooma Bridge!” grandad joked.

Now aged 18 years old, Brittany has been diving since she was 10, and started with gymnastics at which she was “good but not outstanding”, he said.

“Her coach says Brittany has great body speed and bravery, as well as dedication to the sport. She does gym work most mornings and pool work in the evenings.”