Gianmarco Tamberi and Mutaz Barshim, who famously agreed to share the gold medal in Tokyo, took their friendship to a new level during a difficult qualifying round in the high jump.
Both advanced despite physical issues. At one point, with Barshim writhing in pain with what looked like cramp in his calf, Tamberi came over and massaged his buddy’s leg. Later, the medical staff took over.
Mutaz Barshim (left) is helped by his fellow Tokyo gold medallist Gianmarco Tamberi during the high jump.Credit: AP
Barshim finished in good enough shape to clear 2.27 metres, which put him into Saturday’s final. Both could use some rest.
“Nothing is good right now,” Tamberi said.
Tamberi has already had an eventful Olympics, losing his wedding ring in the Seine River while taking care of flag bearer duties for Italy during the opening ceremony. He then returned home and was hospitalised for what he described on Instagram as a “probable” kidney stone, and a fever of 38.8 Celsius.
Back in Paris, the Italian cleared 2.24m despite touching the bar slightly on his second jump. He went on to miss all three of his attempts at 2.27m and had to wait to make sure he qualified — he did because only one man in his qualifying group, Hamish Kerr, cleared that height.
AP