Gianmarco Tamberi and Mutaz Essa Barshim are close friends.
August 1, 2021 was For Gianmarco Tamberi a huge day.
The Italian won the high jump Olympic gold in Tokyo with his season’s best result of 237. The gold medal was shared, but it was important who Tamberi shared the medal with.
Together with Tamber, a close friend rose to the highest podium of the podium Mutaz Essa Barshim. At the award ceremony, the duo held each other’s hands and showed how the gold was indeed shared.
The picture of the situation remained in the history books as a testament to the spirit of sportsmanship, but also to friendship.
– I thought that my dream came true. I may never experience such feelings, Tamberi says now.
Tamberi and Barshim have been friends for years. The Qatari has won three world championships, Tamberi two European Championship golds.
– It’s unbelievable that I have such a good friend in the sport. We talk a lot among ourselves. We call once a week and communicate, says Tamberi.
– I am proud of our friendship. He is an incredible athlete, person and friend.
Dummy medal
Mutaz Essa Barshim (left) and Gianmarco Tamberi shared the Olympic gold. EPA/AOP
The Olympic gold was an emotional moment for Tamber. In Tokyo, the Italian got to show his doubters.
– I sacrificed five years of my life for that dream. Many thought that I would not be able to win the Olympic gold. In the last days before the Games, I must have been the only one who believed it. The win was amazing.
The shared gold changed Tamber’s life. Before, the calendar was filled with competitions and practices, but now there is even less free time.
The Italian protects his medal closely.
– I will never tell you where I keep my Olympic medals. I have copies of it so that if someone breaks into my house, they won’t get the real one.
A crowd pleaser
Gianmarco Tamberi jumped into Barshim’s arms in Tokyo when the shared gold was secured. EPA/AOP
Tamberi is chasing the next medal at the World Championships in Budapest. In Sunday’s qualifying, the Italian lived with emotion as usual.
He reacted strongly to his jumps, and inspired the spectators to cheer. Such behavior is Tamber’s trademark.
– Competing in Europe in recent years is like coming home. I want to thank all the viewers. I think I made it because of them. I had a lot of difficulties, but the audience gave me energy.
The qualification was really not easy. Tamber had several drops, and the ranking was only ninth.
All 12 men who made the final shot over 228.
– I’m not proud of my qualification, I was terrible. I achieved my goal of the final. Another goal was to use as little energy as possible. I didn’t succeed in that.
Hen party
Gianmarco Tamberi makes a lot of contact with the public at the games. EPA/AOP
Barshim was third in qualifying. The two will meet in the WC final on Tuesday evening.
Barshim and Tamber are familiar with being together in Budapest, as the Italian’s bachelor party was organized in Budapest last year.
– I said then that I would never party like that again in Budapest. Hopefully Tuesday will be different, Tamberi refers to the World Cup final.
– I wish the best for my friend – that is, World Championship silver.