Many believe that the moment which captivated sports fans worldwide, where Qatar's golden falcon Mutaz Barshim agreed to share the gold medal with his Italian rival Gianmarco Tamberi in the high jump at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, was merely a fleeting scene or impulsive act from the champion Barshim. However, the reality is much deeper; it marks the final chapter of one of the most inspiring stories that began back in 2016.
The story dates back to 2016 when champion Barshim stood by his Italian rival during a crisis that nearly ended Tamberi's career. Tamberi suffered an injury that threatened his continuation in high jumping—a fractured ankle during the Diamond League in Monaco. He spent a year recovering and rebuilding his strength before returning in June 2017. However, his confidence dwindled just a week later when he failed to clear his opening height at the Paris Diamond League.
The Italian champion recalls that period, saying, "I remember when I went from Ostrava to Paris, my performance was terrible, really dreadful, and I felt frustrated because I didn't know if I would return to the level I was at in 2016. But what happened next was fascinating, thanks to champion Mutaz Barshim."
Tamberi wrote an article on the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) website titled “My Friend Mutaz,” where he expressed, "It was very frustrating in that first diamond league after my return from injury, but I didn't want to talk to anyone. I went straight to my room, and the next day, Mutaz knocked on my door and did not leave. At first, I wanted him to go away, but he insisted, saying, 'Please, I want to talk to you.' So, I surrendered and let him in. We talked, and I cried in front of him. He tried to calm me down, saying, 'Don't rush it. You had a significant injury, but you already returned to the Diamond League, and nobody expected that. You need to take your time; don't expect too much from yourself too soon. Just wait and see what happens.'"
According to Tamberi, Barshim convinced him that he had nothing to prove to anyone except himself. He says, "The most important thing Mutaz helped me realize was that I had to do it for myself, not for others." He adds, "I received a lot of support from people, many that I met on the street would place their hands on my shoulders or hug me, telling me they knew I'd come back and believed in me. So, I started the season thinking I was doing it for them, not for myself. I was putting pressure on myself, feeling that I had to jump for those who had helped me, but Mutaz said, 'Don’t jump for them; you have to jump for yourself. You’re doing a lot; you know you work hard. You train every day, morning, and afternoon, but it's not easy to come back from an injury like this. Just do it for yourself.'"
Barshim succeeded in winning the title in Paris while Tamberi finished low in the ranks, but he never forgot the advice that bolstered his self-confidence. He participated in the Budapest competitions without telling anyone because he wanted to apply Barshim's advice and jump for himself, not for anyone else. He states, "It was my best competition that year; something changed within me, and I started to truly live again."
The gratitude Tamberi felt toward Mutaz Barshim was documented in an article shared by global newspapers. However, what happened the next day at Tokyo 2020 was incredibly inspiring, leading some to call for a film adaptation reflecting the noble sportsmanship of Mutaz Barshim. He pulled his competitor from one of the most significant crises in his life, placing him beside him on the podium after several years, crowned with the Olympic gold. The joyful screams from Tamberi, the long embrace with our champion Mutaz Barshim, and the overwhelming gratitude displayed on and off screens clearly demonstrate the spirit and noble sportsmanship embodied by the golden falcon. This incident will remain a historic event and a paragon in the history of global sports.
