Gianmarco Tamberi’s gaunt face, his sprint to help his friend and rival Barshim, his nervous pacing before jumps, and that crucial 2.24m were enough to secure his spot in the Olympic high jump final in Paris, overcoming what he himself described as “nightmare” days.
The fear of missing the Games after three years of chasing them was overwhelming.
First, a myofascial injury, then a recent hospitalization for a kidney stone and subsequent fever, which only subsided this morning before his jump, had Gimbo on edge. He’s never hidden his obsession with what he calls “99% my last Olympics.” His goal is clear: to defend his Olympic title, aiming for back-to-back victories—a feat no high jumper has ever achieved. Three years ago, he shared gold with Barshim in Tokyo; this Saturday, he aims to win again, despite the challenges life continues to throw at him. Yet, Tamberi never stopped believing, not even after the latest diagnosis at the Formia emergency room. “I’m drinking a lot of water, taking anti-inflammatories, but I refused antibiotics even though some doctors insisted – Gimbo explained. “I disobeyed, just like when they wanted to keep me overnight for observation, but I signed myself out.”
In short, nothing could stand between Gianmarco and the Olympic final he secured this morning at St. Denis. He skipped the first jump at 2.15m, then cleared 2.20m and 2.24m on his first attempts. He failed all three attempts at 2.27m, but it was enough to qualify and keep his dream alive. But Tamberi takes little satisfaction from today beyond the qualification. “As soon as I turn the corner, I’ll reset everything,” he said. “I need to go back to who I was five days ago and forget the last few. Today was a disaster; aside from my determination, I had nothing. My run-up was slow, and I didn’t have the power in my legs, but Saturday will be different. I hope to make you as excited as I did three years ago.”
Tears welled up as he spoke of the full stadium that awaits him Saturday. “In Rio, friends bought tickets to see me, but I was in the stands with a cast,” he recalled, emotional. “In Tokyo, they couldn’t come because of COVID, and then this hospital stay three days ago… it felt like a nightmare, like destiny, but this Saturday, they’ll be there, and I’ll be on the field.” Also qualifying with the same height was fellow Italian Stefano Sottile, as well as Tokyo co-champion Mutaz Essa Barshim, despite an issue with his left calf during his first attempt at 2.27m. As Barshim collapsed, Gimbo, having just missed his own jump, rushed to check on his friend. “It was instinctive,” said the Italian flag-bearer. “But Saturday, he’ll be fine and will give me a real challenge.”
No calculations on the height needed to win—Gimbo’s fight will be with himself and the hardships of the past week that shook all of Italy. Beside him will be his wife, friends, and his team, all pushing him toward the dream he’s been chasing since Japan.
