American diver Alison Gibson scores 0.0 after board collision in Olympics nightmare

A US diver had a nightmarish start to competition in the 3m springboard where she scored a 0.0 for her first attempt.

The American scored 0.0 after this nightmare dive.

American diver Alison Gibson endured a nightmarish start Wednesday during the preliminary round of the women’s 3m springboard, when her feet collided with the board on the first dive, resulting in a score of 0.0.

Moments after the launch, Gibson — in a tucked position coming out of a somersault — hit the board with her feet, says The Post.

Upon landing in the water, her performance was registered as a non-dive.

Alison Gibson’s feet struck the board during the women’s 3m springboard event at the Olympics on August 7. Picture: Channel 9

“Obviously, today didn’t go the way I wanted it to, but I think you can learn and grow from every experience, and I truly hope that the next generation of athletes recognise that even in the worst moments you can keep fighting, you can walk courageously,” said Gibson, who completed her final four dives and finished last in the competition.

The Texas native, making her second Olympic appearance, said she “bruised my right heel” and “definitely was in pain.”

She hobbled out of the pool after injuring her feet. Picture: Channel 9

“I hit my heels and my feet on the board,” she said, according to Reuters. “I have cuts along the sides, and then I bruised my right heel pretty good, but I was determined to keep going.”

Judges take in divers’ starting position, takeoff, flight and entry into the water. According to NBC’s Olympics website, the athletes in springboard competitions are also tasked to perform in the categories of forward, backward, reverse, inward and twisting.

Although Gibson concluded the day with a score of 198.30 and did not advance to the semi-finals, withdrawing was never an option.

Gibson shared on Instagram that she had never hit to board with her feet in 15 years of diving. Picture: Channel 9

“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,” said Gibson, who contemplated retirement following a last-place finish in the synchronised springboard event at the Tokyo Games in 2021.

In a message shared Thursday on Instagram, Gibson declared that she will not let this moment “define” her.

“Our worth is not defined by one painful moment. I am who I am because of the journey it took to get here. And I will not let the shame and pain of this moment define me and my worth,” she posted.

The dive scored a 0.0. Picture: Channel 9

“My faith has been challenged a lot through this and I don’t understand why God would let this happen to me as I have walked so faithfully with him over the past year, but I know his plans are greater than mine and it is not my duty to understand them.

“My heart and my body hurt, but I know that this competition does not and will not define me. If you have a moment when you feel like all is lost, don’t give up hope. You are beautifully and wonderfully made.”

This article originally appeared on NY Post and was reproduced with permission