What’s better than winning gold in Tokyo? Getting to share the win with a friend and fellow competitor.
On Sunday, athletes Gianmarco Tamberi of Italy and Mutaz Essa Barshim of Qatar chose to share first place at the Olympic men’s high jump final thanks to a quirk in the rule book.
Both men flawlessly completed a jump of 2.37 meters (7 feet, 9 1/4 inches). Then they both attempted a jump of 2.39 meters, but neither could make it after three attempts each.
According to the rules, they could either settle it with a jump-off or share the gold. NBC video from the competition shows an official try to explain just that when Barshim cuts in.
“Can we have two golds?” Barshim asks the official.
Before the official could even finish explaining, Barshim reaches out to Tamberi to shake hands, and the two — and the crowd — go wild.
Tamberi in particular really let loose.
Barshim and Tamberi are rivals, but they’re also friends. According to USA Today., the pair met at a competition in Canada in 2010. Since then they’ve been there for each other through international competitions and even injuries.
“I look at him, he looks at me, and we know it. We just look at each other and we know, that is it, it is done. There is no need,” Barshim said after the win, CBC reported.
“He is one of my best friends, not only on the track, but outside the track. We work together. This is a dream come true. It is the true spirit, the sportsman spirit, and we are here delivering this message.”
