QatarTribune Qatar_Tribune QatarTribuneChannel qatar_tribune If this is a dream, I do not want to wake up from it. Qatar’s after winning Olympic gold MONday, AUGUST 2, 2021 Rare High: Barshim shares gold with Tamberi in an extraordinary act of sportsmanship at Olympics

HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani is hugged by Mutaz Essa Barshim soon after his gold medal win at the Tokyo 2020 at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo on Sunday. Sheikh Joaan lauds Barshim’s historic achievement Tribune News Network amazing gold medal in Tokyo Tokyo 2020 Olympics to be added to his previous bronze medal HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad in 2012 Olympics Al Thani, President of the (which was later raised to a Qatar Olympic Committee silver) and a silver at the Rio (QOC), congratulated HH 2016 Olympics. the Amir, HH the Father The QOC President said Amir and the Qatari people this achievement has further on the historic achievement showcased the talent of the of superstar Mu- Qatari superstar and his up- taz Essa Barshim following per hand in the high jump at Mutaz Essa Barshim reacts as he competes in the men’s high jump final during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo on Sunday.(AFP) Qatar’s second gold triumph the world level. at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic HE Sheikh Joaan ap- TNN/Agencies This was the third Olympic Games on Sunday. preciated the Qatar athletics Tokyo medal for Barshim who won Sunday’s glorious vic- federation’s effort in boost- bronze, later upgraded to sil- tory brought Qatar its sec- ing the country’s athletics In what was one of the great ver, at the London 2012 Games ond historic Olympic gold a movement to a new standard men’s high jump contests at and later picked up another sil- day after weightlifter Fares of success at the different in- the Olympic stadium for To- ver in Rio four years later and Ibrahim clinched the coun- ternational arenas. kyo 2020 Games on Sunday, then won two successive world try’s first-ever Olympic gold The QOC President also Qatar’s Mutaz Essa Barshim titles in 2017 and 2019. in the men’s 96kg category lauded the role of Aspire added Olympic gold to his list His personal best of 2.43m on Saturday. Academy in building and of accolades and also ensured is the second-highest jump of HE Sheikh Joaan ap- developing the talent of Mu- that his friend and rival Italy’s all time, behind Cuban Javier plauded the significant sup- taz Barshim since his early too could Sotomayor’s world record port of the HH the Amir to years. share the gold with him. mark of 2.45 set in 1993. the Qatar’s sport movement, “Qatar’s ninth participa- This, of course, came after Speaking after celebrating which remains a motivating tion in the Olympics was out- the two stood out as champi- the triumph with HE Sheikh factor behind this unique standing and impressive by ons. Both Barshim, 30, and the Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, success of Qatari athletes. all standards of success, in 29-year-old Tamberi ended President of the Qatar Olym- The QOC congratulated the which athletes left no stone with jumps of 2.37 metres and pic Committee, Team Qatar country’s superstar Mutaz unturned to honour our had no failed attempts until and Qatar Olympic Commit- Barshim and appreciated sport movement perfectly at they attempted to clear 2.39. tee officials, Barshim said, “If his persevere and hard work, this bigger sport event,” said After three failures each at this is a dream, I do not want which together paid off an QOC President. that height, an Olympic official to wake up from it.” first offered them a jump-off He added: “My feeling is to decide the winner. indescribable. To win the gold “Can we have two golds?”, medal we have worked hard Barshim asked him. Italy’s Gianmarco Tamberi (R) hugs Qatar’s Mutaz Essa Barshim soon after the latter asked for the men’s during the past five years, de- The official nodded, and high jump gold medal to be shared by the two during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Olympic spite facing many challenges the two athletes clasped hands Stadium in Tokyo on Sunday. (AFP) such as injuries and the coro- and jumped with great delight. navirus pandemic. Among the first to congrat- of Be- Barshim. “He is one of my best He thanked His Highness ulate him was Tamberi, still larus took bronze, also with “I look at him, he looks friends, not only on the track, The Amir Sheikh Tamim bin celebrating the gold he shared 2.37, in a final which saw sev- at me, and we know it. We but outside the track. We work Hamad Al Thani, His High- with world champion Barshim en men over 2.33m. just look at each other and together. This is a dream come ness The Father Emir Sheikh Dr. Thani bin Abdulrahman Al Kuwari, second vice-president, Qatar after both declined the jump- “To share it with Marco is we know, that is it, it is done. true. It is the true spirit, the Hamad bin Khalia Al Thani for Olympic Committee and QAF President (left) and HE Shekh Joaan off in an extraordinary act of an amazing feeling. It is a great There is no need,” Barshim sportsman spirit, and we are their support and encourage- applaud after Barshim won gold in Tokyo on Sunday. sportsmanship agreed. feeling. I’m really happy,” said added. here delivering this message.” ment for the golden success. MUTAZ AND GIANMARCO: A TALE OF SWEAT, BLOOD & TEARS OF TWO FRIENDS AND RIVALS ianmarco Tamberi and Mutaz Essa Bar- “After my injuries I just wanted to we know it. We just look at each other and we shim basked in the unusual glow of a joint come back, but now I have this gold, it’s know, that is it, it is done. There is no need [to GOlympic high-jump gold in Tokyo, reflecting incredible. I dreamed of this so many continue],” he said of a moment set to go down upon a friendship that helped to lift them to the times,” Tamberi told reporters, having in Olympic history. pinnacle of the sport. been an exuberant presence throughout “Actually, we talked about it years ago, but Qatar’s world champion Barshim entered the competition and afterwards when he we just said, ‘Oh imagine...,’ and today, actually Sunday’s final as favourite and he and Italy’s celebrated with compatriot and surprise it happened. It is a great feeling, you can’t be Tamberi were the last men standing after a thrill- men’s 100m winner Marcell Jacobs. “I more happy than that.” Barshim added: “He is ing contest, failing to clear their Olympic record was told in 2016 just before Rio there one of my best friends, not only on the track, but of 2.39 metres with their three attempts. was a risk I wouldn’t be able to compete outside the track. We work together. This is a Each athlete had error-free records before any more. It’s been a long journey.” dream come true. that point, meaning a jump-off for gold was in Barshim also suffered ankle problems It is the true spirit, the sportsman spirit, and prospect before they elected to split the title and between his 2017 and 2019 suc- we are here delivering this message. shared an emotional embrace. cesses at the World Championships and “We have been through a lot, the same In a blog post for Spikes in 2018, Tamberi afterwards he revealed he and Tamberi injury, and we know how much it takes, explained how Barshim provided pivotal support had remarkably discussed the prospect physically and mentally just to get back here. I on his return to competitive action after a bro- Gianmarco Tamberi celebrates with the plaster cast he Mutaz Barshim hold holds his tears as he is of being able to share a gold medal appreciate what he has done, he appreciates ken ankle ruled him out of Rio 2016 and placed had on his leg for six months following an injury in 2016 overcome by emotions at the Olympic Stadium previously. what I have done. It is amazing.” his career under threat. on the track at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo on Sunday. in Tokyo on Sunday. “I look at him, he looks at me, and (DPA)