The men’s high jump final held on Monday at the Tokyo Olympics was an unforgettable spectacle. Mutaz Essa Barshim, a Muslim high jumper from Qatar showed the sportsmanship that no olympian in the world would like to do.
Barshim was facing Italy’s Gianmarco Tampberi in the men’s high jump final at Tokyo 2020 Olympics. In the battle for gold, the bar was set at 2.37 meters which was achieved by the both medalists. The bar was then raised to 2.39 meters, a mark which is the highest Olympic record. But neither Barshim nor Tampberi could clear it.
After the high jump was stuck at a stalemate, an Olympic official told them that they could go to another jump-off for the gold medal. This is when Barshim said what no one in the history of Olympics ever did. “Can we have two golds?” the Qatari high-jumper inquired.
When the officials confirmed that the gold medal could be shared, Barshim and Tamberi gave each other a nod, and leaped into an a heartwarming embrace.
A unprecedented situation unfolded in Tokyo where two gold and a bronze medal were awarded. No silver was awarded at Tokyo as Mutaz and Gianmarco were declared joint winners of the competition. No major championships had ever witnessed a shared gold medal spot before.
The 30-year-old Barshim and the 29-year-old Tamberi presented the gold medals to each other after climbing on to the podium together. The spectacle was worth watching when they switched places to face their flags when each national anthem was played.
“I still can’t believe it happened. Sharing with a friend is even more beautiful. It was just magical,” said an overwhelmed Tamberi.
Barshim, who was no less thrilled with the result, said that both he and Tamberi had put in a performance worthy of a gold medal.
“For me, coming here, I know for a fact that for the performance I did, I deserve that gold. He did the same thing, so I know he deserved that gold. This is beyond sport. This is the message we deliver to the young generation,” said Barshim.
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