It was almost 109 years after a gold medal was shared in an Olympic Games when Qatar’s Mutaz Barshim famously asked the official, "Can we have two golds?" in Tokyo 2021. He shared the top step of the podium with Italy's Gianmarco Tamberi in the men's high jump. (Full Coverage | Medal Table | Schedule & Results)
Often known for his fun-loving personality, Tamberi was hospitalised due to a kidney ailment. He had delayed his arrival in Paris after suffering renal issues and suspected kidney stones, and he somehow managed to get through the qualifications.
But his health deteriorated in the last few days and he was taken to the hospital on Saturday morning after vomiting blood twice as he informed in a post on Instagram.
He came to compete in the final and left as soon as completing his jumps. He cleared 2.22m in the third attempt which was his best and was going for 2.27m and failed in in all three attempts. He was unable to defend his gold and would have to go empty-handed from Paris.
Reigning joint champion Tamberi also had an unforgettable moment at the Paris Olympics 2024 when he lost his wedding ring in the Seine River during the opening ceremony.
Tamberi became the European outdoor champion in 2024 and the World outdoor champion in the year 2023. He won the 2021 Diamond League crown, becoming the first-ever Italian to do so, and repeated this in 2022.
During the 2022 NBA Celebrity All-Star Game, Tamberi joined Dominique Wilkins's team and executed a putback dunk, becoming the first high jump champion to participate in the Celebrity Game.
With a height of 1.91m, Tamberi has won nine national championship titles and holds national records for high jump indoor - 2.38m and for high jump outdoor - 2.89m.
