Tokyo Olympics: Mutaz Essa Barshim, Gianmarco Tamberi opt to share gold in true show of true sportsmanship spirit- For the first time since 1912, a medal was shared at the Olympics after Qatar’s Mutaz Essa Barshim and Italy’s Gianmarco Tamberi opted to share the medal in men’s high jump event. The duo ended with jumps of 2.37 metres and had no failed attempts until they attempted to clear 2.39.
Tokyo Olympics: After three failures each to clear the 2.39 mark, an Olympic official first offered Barshim and Tamberi a jump-off to decide the winner. However, the duo who have struggled with injuries throughout their career, however persuaded the officials to let them share the triumph.“Can we have two golds?”, Barshim asked the official as quoted by Indian Express. The official nodded, and the two athletes clasped hands and whooped for joy. “I look at him, he looks at me, and we know it. We just look at each other and we know, that is it, it is done. There is no need.”
Wow…! The extraordinary, emotional moment Qatar’s Mutaz Essa Barshim and Italy’s Gianmarco Tamberi agree to share the high jump gold medal #Tokyo2020 #OlympicGames pic.twitter.com/8EsYRWxosf
— Shayne Currie (@ShayneCurrieNZH) August 1, 2021
Tokyo Olympics: The Qatar star added, “He is one of my best friends, not only on the track but outside the track. We work together. This is a dream come true. It is the true spirit, the sportsman spirit, and we are here delivering this message.”
Tokyo Olympics: Tamberi, who missed the 2016 Olympics after a serious injury just days before the event, jumped with joy after clinching the gold. He said, “After my injuries, I just wanted to come back, but now I have this gold, it’s incredible. I dreamed of this so many times. I was told in 2016 just before Rio there was a risk I wouldn’t be able to compete any more. It’s been a long journey.”
The win marks Gianmarco Tamberi’s first Olympic gold medal, having won a world indoor and a European title, both in 2016. As for Mutaz Essa Barshim, he completed his set, having won the bronze in 2012, the silver in 2016 and the gold in Tokyo.
