Tokyo, Japan, August 2, 2021: The decision to share a gold medal rather than compete in a jump-off for gold and silver is being hailed as a great Olympic moment in Tokyo and around the world.
The two athletes involved in the remarkable act of sportsmanship at the Olympic Stadium on Sunday night were high jump joint gold medallists Mutaz Essa Barshim of Qatar and Gianmarco Tamberi of Italy.
After both of them had cleared 237cm and failed at an Olympic record-equalling 239cm, an official informed them of the rules that they could continue in an elimination process or share the gold medal.
Barshim asked the official: “Can we have two golds?” The official said this was accepted protocol, at which point the two rivals embraced – knowing that they had overcome a string of career-threatening injuries to reach this golden moment.
The headlines on Monday saluted the two athletes.
“High jumpers agree to split gold medal in stunning display of Olympic sportsmanship.” – Insider.com.
“The true essence of sportsmanship.” – Gavan Reilly (Virgin Media News, Ireland)
“Not sure anyone would have refused this option but the emotion is beautiful.” - Former England football star and popular TV presenter Gary Lineker.
“Absolute scenes, as high jump rivals agree to share Games gold after battling to standstill.” – Newshub.co.nz.
At the post ceremony press conference, the Qatari hero explained: "It's history. Coming out here after what we've been through (long-term injury), it just takes so much mentally, physically. What I've been through after a very bad injury, it could be ending (my) career.
"But coming here and being at the top of the game, to win the Olympics, it's a dream come true.
"Once we finished with that 2.39m jump he just looked at me, I look at him, and we just understood that there was no need to go (and compete). It wasn't even a question.
"This is a real moment here. When we say we've been through a lot, it just doesn't mean that. We literally have some days that we couldn't even enjoy. I couldn't get out of bed, I needed help to get out of bed, I needed help to go to the toilet. I could not even think of putting a shoe on.
"This is beyond sport. This is sportsmanship, and this is the message we deliver to the young generation."