Tokyo 2020 - Athletics - Source: Getty — Gianmarco Tamberi and Mutaz Barshim will compete in the long jump final at Paris Olympics. (Images by Getty)

In Pictures: Gianmarco Tamberi, who shared Olympic gold medal with Mutaz Barshim goes to rescue the athlete during an injury scare at Paris Olympics

Modified Aug 07, 2024 17:35 GMT

In a heartwarming moment at the Paris Olympics, Gianmarco Tamberi, who shared an iconic gold medal with Mutaz Barshim in the high jump event at the 2020 Tokyo Games, was seen rushing toward the latter during a worrying injury scare at Paris Olympics 2024. The duo was seen vying in the qualifying round when the Qatari athlete experienced discomfort in his calf.

Three years back during the Tokyo Games, Barshim and Tamberi shared a gold medal after both jumpers cleared the height of 2.37m in their first attempt and fell short of surpassing the 2.39m. Both the athletes decided to share the gold medal instead of attempting a jump-off.

During his first attempt for the 2.27m jump at the Paris Olympics, Barshim started with a strong run, but a few steps before the jump, he experienced discomfort in his left calf. The jumper was seen limping and came down to the ground in the next few seconds. He appeared in immense pain when Tamberi came rushing towards his co-medalist from the Tokyo Games and was seen offering assistance.

See Tamberi assisting Barshim here:

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However, unfazed by the setback, the 33-year-old jumper has earned the qualification to compete in the final round and will be seen vying to defend his title.

Gianmarco Tamberi earns the spot to compete in the final round of high jump at the Paris Olympics 2024

Athletics - Olympic Games Paris 2024: Day 12 - Source: Getty

Three days before he was set to compete in the men's qualification, Gianmarco Tamberi encountered a challenge, citing a likely kidney issue. He shared a picture of himself in the hospital on social media and wrote,

"Unbelievable... This can't be true. Yesterday, 2 hours after writing "I deserve it" on social media, I noticed a throwing fight at one side. ER, TAC, ultrasound, blood work....Probable kidney stone," he wrote.

"And now I find myself, 3 days after the race for which I sacrificed everything, lying in a bed, helpless, with 38.8 fever...I was supposed to be leaving for Paris today to begin my journey toward this big dream, and instead I’ve been advised to postpone the flight until tomorrow in the hopes that with some rest this nightmare will be over," he added (Translated).

However, unshaken by the adversity that came in the final moments, he competed in the qualifying round with unwavering resolve and earned the qualification with a jump of 2.24m.