Team USA diver Alison Gibson narrowly escaped serious injury while competing in the 3-meter springboard diving preliminaries at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The crowd at the Aquatics Center watched in horror as Gibson's feet slammed into the springboard before she fell like a ball into the water.
Gibson attempted an inward two-and-a-half pike somersault when viewers suddenly heard a loud thud — the sound of her body hitting the springboard. Divers are not allowed to touch the springboard or platform in competition. Gibson received a devastating 0.0 score from each judge as her first dive was deemed a complete fail. During the Paris Olympics, no other diver has earned a zero score thus far.
While banged up from the hit, the 25-year-old was able to finish the competition and complete her remaining dives. Through tears, Gibson spoke to reporters after her Olympic journey came to abrupt end.
"I hit my heels and my feet on the board. I have cuts along the sides. And then I bruised my right heel pretty good, but I was determined to keep going," Gibson told Reuters.
“I definitely was in pain,” the Texas native continued. “But one thing that I say is I hope that anyone who is watching just was able to see what it looks like to get up and keep going even when things don’t go the way you want them to. It’s about the fight.”
"Obviously, today didn't go the way I wanted it to," Gibson concluded. "But I think you can learn and grow from every experience, and I truly hope that the next generation of athletes recognize that even in the worst moments you can keep fighting, you can walk courageously."
Gibson ultimately finished in 27th place out of 28 competitors. Only the top 16 advance to the semifinals.
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