Mutaz Barshim and Gianmarco Tamberi agreed to halve the Tokyo Olympic high jump gold medal. The following is a chronology of this historical moment.
Barshim and Tamberi both recorded a jump as high as 2.37 meters without recording a single failure in Sunday’s match (1/8).
In the 2.39 meter trial, both Barshim and Tamberi failed three times.
After the three failures, the committee offered a decisive jump to determine the winner.
“Can we have two gold medals [together]?” Barshim said, quoted by Reuters.
The committee nodded and the two athletes embraced in joy. In the regulations, quoted from USA Today, the determination of gold medal can be through a decisive jump or both athletes agree to share the gold medal.
“I saw him, he saw me and we both knew. We looked at each other and we knew it was over. There was nothing more needed [a decisive jump],” said Barshim.
The golden moment of the Olympic high jump divided by two is even more interesting because Barshim and Tamberi have been friends for a long time.
“He is one of my best friends, not only on the pitch, but off the pitch as well.”
“This is a dream come true. This is true spirit, sportsman spirit, and we managed to convey this message,” said Barshim.
Tamberi was satisfied with the gold distribution agreement.
“We enjoy this moment. Because we really want it,” said Tamberi.
For Tamberi, the gold medal feels even bigger because he had suffered a serious injury that made his career in danger. Due to injury, Tamberi missed the Tokyo Olympics
“After the injury, I just wanted to come back, but now I can have a gold medal. It’s amazing. I dream about this a lot.”
“I was told in 2016 that there was a risk that I wouldn’t be able to compete again. So it’s been a long journey,” Tamberi said.
And Barshim also suffered a similar injury, in his left ankle, two years after Tamberi’s injury. Tamberi had a big role in the recovery.
“The injury was very bad and we could not imagine being able to return to play. Mentally, physically and the things we have been through, he and I know that it requires a lot of sacrifice,” said Barshim.
After the match ended, Tamberi confirmed that maybe he would not choose to share the gold medal with other athletes if not Barshim.
“It’s not that I don’t respect other athletes. I really respect all the athletes who are here.”
“But Mutaz went through the same problem as me and I know how important it is to come back from an injury like that, how difficult it is in a situation that frustrates us,” said Tamberi.
Barshim and Tamberi were already preparing to celebrate the gold medal victory together. They themselves meet regularly and spend time together every year.
“It’s going to be a great thing,” said Barshim.
