Tamberi interview: “My daughter, the Olympics, Jacobs”

Gathering, from Saturday and for two weeks, in Tenerife, in the Canary Islands: this is how Gianmarco Tamberi’s 2026 begins. In the suitcase the desire to make up for a bad year and renewed hopes for the future. Together with him, for a first period, also his wife Chiara and, for the first time, little Camilla, five months in ten days. For the entire stage, its technical staff and the best youth of the Italian high jump: Matteo Sioli, Stefano Sottile and Manuel Lando.

“When we arrived there was a windstorm: to train we were forced to take a car and go to a field on the other side of the island. But the weather forecast is good and with the heat the intensity of certain sessions will increase.”

“Quite well, apart from a new, mild renal colic suffered on Friday. I’m back from those months of load that I wasn’t able to do last winter to concentrate on the recovery of my left knee. Now I have a valid preparation base on which to build. I’m satisfied.”

Yes, the knee, the one on the take-off leg that caused you so much trouble: problems overcome?

“It’s improved, but it’s not okay yet. It probably never will be. When I push a little, when I push it, it gets inflamed and makes itself felt. It must be the reward of 16 years of high intensity…”.

How do you handle the situation?

“The long period away from activity after the Olympic season taught me to measure my efforts, to understand certain dynamics. Before, to jump, I silenced the pain. Now, however, I haven’t done infiltrations for a long time, I follow what my knee tells me.”

If you weren’t an athlete, would you have the same difficulties?

“No, the disorder I suffer from is called jumper knee (“jumper’s knee”) not by chance. But now, with lots of exercises and lots of therapy, I control it. If I didn’t do this, I certainly wouldn’t get to 2028.”

Because when you think about the Los Angeles Olympics, the sights are always pointed there, right?

“Of course and this is why I will no longer be able to compete as frequently as I would like. For someone like me, who lives on competitiveness, it is difficult to accept, but certain choices, with age, become obligatory”.

How does this reasoning translate?

“I don’t have to rush: it means, for example, that the indoor season is not in my plans. Then, if in mid-February I realize that I have a condition that justifies an attempt, I can try.”

Last year he did five races in total, never above 2.20 and a fourth place: how much did he suffer?

“It was very hard: from May onwards I tried. And perhaps, without the biceps injury at the end of August, at the Tokyo World Championships, where we got on the podium with 2.31, it would have gone differently. But I had worked little, I lacked certainty. The disappointment, given the conditions, was quickly overcome.”

Also because, in the meantime, he became a father.

“Until August, it was Chiara and her big belly that made me change my mood quickly. Then Camilla thought about it: she sleeps little, but in the face of such wonder, sadness, melancholy and frustration vanish.”

She confirmed that she too is human…

“Of course: not being able to meet the expectations of fans and ordinary people put me in difficulty. Many thought: ‘If he comes back, he’ll win’. Hell, in top sport it doesn’t work like that. Skipping certain measures isn’t like driving a car, automatic mechanisms aren’t enough. But I also felt flattered: someone believed I was capable of performing miracles.”

“Always followed by Giulio Ciotti and Tiago Gamelas, I started jumping again soon, at least once a week, with the run-up reduced to five steps, as it should be. Cleaning up the technique, eliminating certain inhibitory mechanisms.”

He often trains in a wetsuit in his home pool.

“To practice in zero gravity, to encourage muscle resets. And to remember Fabrizio Borra, my historic physiotherapist who passed away last year, who explained its usefulness to me back in 2017”.

When will the basketball court open?

“My knee advises me to be cautious, but I hope soon. I have already launched an online challenge to aledellagiusta, a well-known YouTuber and former basketball player of a good level.”

What do you expect from these weeks in Tenerife?

“Here, between March and April, I have already come twice in 2023 and once in 2024. In January, however, for 7-8 years, I went to South Africa. But sharing the gathering with three young colleagues stimulates me a lot”.

“Sottile and Lando came to Ancona in December. Then I contacted Paolo Camossi and Silvano Chesani, federal managers of the jumps and high jumps, and asked if we could be together. I am happy with the support we receive. Everyone will follow their own program, but we will be at the camp at the same times and will do some work at the same time. The triple jumpers Andrea Dallavalle and Simone Biasutti are also there.”

Speaking of Fidal: Marcell Jacobs, regarding the fact that among the Elite Athletes he has been downgraded and she is still among the top, said: “Tamberi knows how to maintain relationships, I can’t pretend to be a friend.”

“I think his words have been misinterpreted, I don’t think he’s angry with me, given that three months ago at the World Championships we spent an entire evening together. Having said that, I’m really happy that he decided to continue. He’s an example for many kids and trying again will inspire many athletes in difficulty. As for the downgrading, I think there have been difficulties between him and the federation since he’s been in the United States. I know that since then there has been a partial lack of sharing of training programs and conditions of health”.

I think this was what created tension in the relationship?

“Yes: Fidal expects us top athletes to constantly share our conditions. I am sure that both the president and the technical structure recognize that he will forever be one of the greatest in Italian athletics. But I understand that in such a situation it was complicated to draw up agreements. As far as I’m concerned, without going too far back, the 2.37 missed in Rome 2024 is the best measurement in the world of the last 7 years. It may be enough to give Fidal a valid reason to believe in me and in my path towards Los Angeles”.

Let’s get back to you: what are you aiming for?

“To win the European Championships for the fourth time, the third in a row. Appointment in Birmingham, in mid-August: there will be no shortage of rivals. A few days ago I went back on a diet…”.

Will Cortina follow the Milan Olympics?

“As much as possible. I see myself in Federica Brignone: what a desire to find her at the gate. In these hours the torch was right in Ancona, also carried by Luigi Casadei, world champion paralympic javelin thrower, trained by my brother Gianluca. On 6 December, in Rome, I had the honor of being among the first Italian torchbearers. Passing the flame to Achille Polonara, my friend and fellow citizen, makes me It gave an enormous emotion.”