A gripping and emotional women’s 3m springboard final came down to three world class divers competing for two Olympic team spots at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Diving Team Trials.

Sarah Bacon, Alison Gibson and Krysta Palmer entered the 10th and final round of dives separated by just 7.45 points.

Bacon, who qualified for her first Olympic team earlier in the week in the synchro springboard alongside partner Kassidy Cook, hit her final dive for 72.00 points to seal the victory and her spot in the individual event in Paris.

"Honestly, not my best performance out there in that final, but happy to be done,” Bacon said on NBC afterward. “Happy to get some rest mentally and physically after this. So much needed before Paris.”

Palmer’s final dive scored slightly higher than Gibson’s, but not enough to overtake her best friend and synchro partner, whom she convinced to come out of retirement last summer and make a push for Paris.

In a special moment, Palmer congratulated and embraced Gibson poolside once the results became official.

“I said you deserve this. She's worked so hard and she’s such an incredible athlete,” Palmer, the Tokyo bronze medalist on the springboard, said of Gibson. “I have learned so much from you, to see you grow and see you mature over the last three years is remarkable." 

Palmer and Gibson represented the United States in the 3m synchro event at the Tokyo Olympics but struggled and finished in a disappointing eighth place. Afterward, Gibson retired to start a professional career away from diving with no plans to pursue another trip to the Olympic stage.

Then she got the call from Palmer.

"I would not be here without Krysta,” Gibson said. “She called me last June and said I want you to come back. And without that call and without her prayers and without the support of everyone I would not be standing here today."

FINAL RESULTS (Top 4):
1) *Sarah Bacon | 639.00
2) *Alison Gibson | 635.10
3) Krysta Palmer | 629.25
4) Kristen Hayden | 594.60