Sports has a way of surprising people in the most unexpected manner. Sometimes these surprises are not so good, but on other occasions, they warm your heart and keep it that way for a long long time.
What happened in the men’s high jump final is one of the good surprises. Great even, the most heartwarming.
It all started when Qatar’s Mutaz Essa Barshim and Italy’s Gianmarco Tamberi could not clear the final height.
This meant that the final had ended in a tie, not a very usual occurrence in the sport. Anyway, the only solution was to have a “jump-off”. Like, the penalties in football.
But at that moment, the rule book was consulted to find out that there was an alternative. They could share the gold medal.
And it took exactly a second for the men to decide what their choice was going to be.
They were going to share the gold medal.
The moment when Gianmarco Tamberi and Muta Essa Barshim agreed to share the gold medal after tying in the men’s high jump ❤️ pic.twitter.com/9BLJeo83I0
— ESPN (@espn) August 1, 2021
This was followed by a very emotional celebration, a lot of crying, rolling on the track, and of course, hugs.
It was one of the nicest moments in the Olympics history and it showed in the way it was received.
Wow. What a moment of elation. Mutaz Barshim and Gianmarco Tamberi have agreed to share the gold medal in the high jump.
— Chris Chavez (@ChrisChavez) August 1, 2021
They did not have any misses through 2.37m. No jump-off. #TokyoOlympics pic.twitter.com/WuX3RD4r5d
Wow…! The extraordinary, emotional moment Qatar’s Mutaz Essa Barshim and Italy’s Gianmarco Tamberi agree to share the high jump gold medal #Tokyo2020 #OlympicGames pic.twitter.com/8EsYRWxosf
— Shayne Currie (@ShayneCurrieNZH) August 1, 2021
The two top Olympic high jumpers forgo a jump-off to instead both share gold medals 🏅 pic.twitter.com/IAbMz4UMb6
— Sports Moments That Make You Smile (@wholesomesport) August 1, 2021
WHAT A MOMENT 😭
— 7Olympics (@7olympics) August 1, 2021
Emotions are running high as Mutaz Essa Barshim 🇶🇦 and Gianmarco Tamberi 🇮🇹 decide to share the Gold Medal in the men’s high jump rather than competing in a jump off after both athletes cleared 2.37m 🥇#Tokyo2020 | #7Olympics pic.twitter.com/Cv4jCAv1AH
Historic image, this – 2 athletes having just agreed to not have a jump off and share a gold medal ❤️ pic.twitter.com/HoGiR4r42z
— Aniket Mishra (@aniketmishra299) August 1, 2021
Then you refuse to share your gold medal next time you compete in the Olympics
— Bruno. (@brarrudam) August 1, 2021
“He’s one of my best friends. We’re always together.”
— The New York Times (@nytimes) August 1, 2021
In the men’s high jump, Gianmarco Tamberi of Italy and @mutazbarshim of Qatar were hopelessly locked in a tie for the gold. In a heartwarming act of sportsmanship, they decided to share it. #Tokyo2020 https://t.co/PSzibbQe8M
We won’t be able to get over this any time soon.