U.S. diver Alison Gibson had a nightmare start in the women’s 3-meter springboard qualifying on Wednesday, hitting her foot on the board on her first dive and finishing with a 0.0 point.
Immediately after taking off, Gibson did a somersault in the air with his legs straight before landing on his board.
Once she hit the water, her performance was recorded as a non-dive.
“Obviously, today didn’t go the way I wanted it to, but I believe you can learn and grow from any experience, and I really hope that the next generation of athletes realizes that even in the worst moments, they can keep fighting and walk bravely.” Gibson says.finished last in the competition after her final four dives.
The Texas native, competing in her second Olympic Games, said she was “definitely in pain” because she “bruised my right heel.”
“I hit my heel and foot on the board,” she said, according to Reuters. “I had cuts on both sides and a pretty bad bruise on my right heel, but I was determined to carry on.”
Judges will observe the diver’s starting position, take-off, flight and entry into the water. According to the NBC Olympics website:Diving athletes are also required to perform in the following categories: forward, backward, reverse, internal rotation and twist.
Gibson finished the day with 198.30 points and did not advance to the semifinals, but withdrawing was never an option.
“One thing I’ll say is, I think everyone watching now understands what it means to get up and keep going even when things aren’t going your way. The fight is what’s important,” said Gibson, who had considered retirement after finishing last in the synchronized springboard event at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.
2024 Paris Olympics
In a message Shared on Instagram on ThursdayGibson declared that he won’t let the moment “define” him.
“Our worth isn’t defined by one painful moment. I am who I am because of the journey I took to get here, and I will not let the shame and pain of this moment define me and my worth,” she posted.
“This has tested my faith greatly. I cannot understand why God would allow this to happen to me when I have walked faithfully with him over the past year. However, I know that God’s plan is greater than my plan and I am not responsible for figuring it out.
“Though my heart and body hurt, I know this pageant does not define me and never will. Even though there are moments when it feels like all is lost, never give up hope. You are beautiful and wonderfully made.”
