Sydney schoolgirl Brittany O’Brien dives into first Olympics after late call

Diver Brittany O’Brien was enjoying a lie-in yesterday when her father woke the Sydney schoolgirl to tell her the woman who had beaten her at the Olympic trials had suffered an injury.

Year 12 student Brittany O'Brien has been called-up to the Australian Olympic diving squad.

BEING told you have made the Australian Olympic team is a pretty good reason to be woken up early on a Sunday morning.

That is exactly what happened to 18-year-old Brittany O’Brien yesterday when her father disturbed her sleep-in.

While O’Brien went to bed knowing there was a possibility of a call-up, after becoming a reserve for the diving team after Olympic selection trials in May, the realisation it was real was a little overwhelming.

Diver Brittany O'Brien, 18, will head to Rio for her first Olympics.

O’Brien earned her place on the team after London Olympics silver medallist Brittany Broben succumbed to a shoulder injury.

“I was actually asleep, my dad came in and woke me up with the news,” O’Brien said.

“I was still half asleep, so it took a few minutes to process. But once I realised what was happening I was obviously so excited and overwhelmed.”

O’Brien was her Year 12 exams today but instead is bound for Rio with plans to put back her exams.

O'Brien finished second in the Olympic trials in May but became a team reserve. Picture: Darren England.

After finishing second at the Australian Olympic trials she continued training hard knowing that Broben was under an injury cloud and there was always a chance of a late call-up.

“I knew there was a possibility, so I did keep training hard because anything can happen,” O’Brien said.

“But I wasn’t expecting anything as Britt (Broben) was training well and working hard, so I was just trying to support her.

“Personally I am so honoured and grateful to have made his team. It’s going to be an amazing learning experience, and I know I will grow so much, not only as a person.

“I’m just so glad my hard work has led to this moment and I’ll cherish it forever.”

She will join teammate and two-time Olympian Melissa Wu competing in the 10-metre platform.

She kept training as she knew her rival was under an injury cloud.