High-jumper Tamberi’s gold defence in doubt due to stabbing kidney pain 

Gianmarco Tamberi’s defence of his Olympic high jump title is in doubt after the Italian experienced the same stabbing kidney pain. In Tokyo, Tamberi and Qatar’s Mutaz Barshim shared the gold medal.

Gianmarco Tamberi of Italy might not participate in high jump finals. (Reuters Photo)

Gianmarco Tamberi’s defence of his Olympic high jump title is in doubt after the Italian experienced the same stabbing kidney pain that led him to visit the hospital days before the preliminary round. The 32-year-old shared gold with Qatar’s Mutaz Barshim at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics but said he awoke at 5 AM on Saturday experiencing “stabbing” pain from kidney colic — acute pain in the kidney area caused by an obstruction — that had bothered him a few days earlier.

“It’s all finished,” the Italian posted on Instagram. “I hoped until the very end, I believed in spite of all that had happened. It’s been 5 hours and the pain is still not over. I managed to beat fate once after that injury in 2016 (an ankle injury that required surgery), this time unfortunately I really think he won.”

“I’m speechless, truly, so sorry. Will I take to the stage anyway this evening? Yeah, but I really don’t know how I’m going to jump in these conditions.”

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Tamberi and Barshim both advanced to Saturday’s final but it was anything but smooth as the Italian had three fails at 2.27 metres while the Qatari cleared it only after lengthy treatment for an injury. Three days earlier, Tamberi had posted a picture of himself in a hospital bed after being taken ill with kidney pain, which delayed his travel plans to France.

TAMBERI’S MEMORABLE MOMENT IN TOKYO

One of the most memorable moments of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games was the extraordinary display of sportsmanship and friendship between high jumpers Mutaz Essa Barshim of Qatar and Gianmarco Tamberi of Italy. During the men’s high jump final, both athletes found themselves tied at 2.39 meters, unable to outdo each other even after multiple attempts. Instead of proceeding to a jump-off to determine the sole gold medalist, Barshim asked the official if they could share the gold medal, and the official agreed.

This unexpected decision sent shockwaves through the Olympic community, with even World Athletics President Sebastian Coe initially unsure of what was happening. The moment was met with widespread applause and tears of joy, not only from the athletes themselves but also from the spectators and officials present.

The shared gold medal marked a rare occurrence in Olympic history, with the last instance of shared gold in track and field dating back to 1912. The event was hailed as a symbol of the true spirit of the Olympics, emphasizing friendship and sportsmanship over individual victory.

The bond between Barshim and Tamberi was strengthened by their shared pain and rebirth. Tamberi had previously suffered a serious ankle injury that kept him out of the 2016 Olympics, while Barshim had faced his own challenges. Their joint victory resonated deeply, showcasing the power of friendship and camaraderie in the world of elite sports.

This heartwarming moment has been remembered as one of the most uplifting stories of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, earning widespread acclaim and admiration for the athletes’ selfless and noble decision.