Barshim, Tamberi rewrite Olympics history after 113 years

Both the athletes performed brilliantly in the ongoing Tokyo Olympics.

The final of the Men’s High Jump at the Tokyo Olympics was the stage for something historic and wholesome. Italy’s Gianmarco Tamberi and Qatar’s Mutaz Essa Barshim were locked in a fierce battle for the top honours. The fight for the gold medal was one for the ages.

The fight

Tamberi and Barshim were engaged in a three-way battle for the top alongside Belarus’ Nedasekau. All three managed to jump 2.37m in the finals and all three failed at their three attempts at 2.39m. However, both Tamberi and Barshim were further tied, as they hadn’t missed with any of the previous attempts before.

The official offered both of them a chance to compete for the top step of the podium in a jump-off.

The friendship

Tamberi withdrew from the last attempt due to a serious injury. Fate seemed to smile o Barshim at that moment. There was nothing between him and the gold medal. However, when fate smiled at him, he just waved and smiled back.

Barshim checked with the official whether if he withdrew from the final jump, the gold would be shared between the two. Upon the official’s confirmation, the Qatari high-jumper did the ultimate act by withdrawing his jump, ensuring that the duo share the gold medal.

Both Tamberi and Barshim have been close friends since 2017 and upon hearing the news Tamberi ran to Barshim and hugged him. It was a moment that transcended boundaries and borders and something that will live in the hearts of everyone who were able to witness it. The moment will also live on in history.

The history

This occasion marks the first time in 113 years that the gold medal for athletics was shared based on level competition rather than disqualification. The last such occasion instance happened at the 1908 London Olympics in the pole vault event. Edward Cook and Alfred Gilbert set Olympic records when they vaulted a distance of 3.71m to become the best at the quadrennial event. The bronze medal during the same occasion was also shared by three people.

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