Italy's Golden Sunday: A country is upside down

Exactly 3 weeks after the footballers were crowned surprising and celebrated European champions at Wembley Stadium, Italy's sports summer fairy tale continues in Tokyo: after just one week of the Olympic Games, the Azzurri already have 27 medals. On Sunday, two golds were added almost at the same time.

It was shortly after 15.30:XNUMX p.m. Central European time when Gianmarco Tamberi completely unexpectedly won the gold medal in the high jump . Together with Essa Mutaz Barshim from Qatar, he crossed 2,37 meters and both shared the Olympic victory.

High jumper Gianmarco Tamberi rolled on the ground with happiness. © APA/afp / JEWEL SAMAD

Tamberi, who comes from Civitanova, could hardly believe his success. He lay crying on the floor of the Tokyo athletics arena for minutes. Shortly afterwards he threw himself around Marcell Jacobs' neck in celebration. He was just leaving after his 100 meter race - an effort that was crowned with gold .

The 26-year-old from Desenzano on Lake Garda had already reached the final with a European record and surprised the entire sporting world with a truly fabulous run and a new continental best time of 9,80 seconds. An Italian successor to the legendary Usain Bolt, who won the title with the same time 5 years ago!

Marcell Jacobs (r.) sprinted the 100 meters in a new European record of 9,80 seconds. © APA/afp / JEWEL SAMAD

These were not only the first gold medals for Italy's athletics since Alex Schwazer's victory in the 50 kilometer walk in Beijing in 2008, but also two successes that were considered almost impossible in the boot state and far beyond.

The Italian press reacted accordingly euphorically. The Bolzano Rai Commentator Franco Bragagna shouted “Oro!” during the live broadcast. Oro!” (Gold! Gold!) into the microphone, the online portals reacted just minutes later with titles like “Crazy Jacobs: Gold of a Legend!!!” ( Journal of Sport ) or “The legendary night of Italian sport” ( Corriere della Sera ). “Mario Draghi, the Prime Minister – one second.” A call for Olympic champion Marcell Jacobs However, the two Olympic heroes received praise not only via the Internet or TV cameras, but also via a very special phone call. Italy's Prime Minister Mario Draghi rang Jacobs and Tamberi and congratulated them on their gold medals. "I'm proud of you. You honor Italy,” Draghi said by telephone in Rome on Sunday. Draghi's call seemed to have come as a complete surprise. Jacobs was doing an interview with journalists when suddenly someone handed him a cell phone and said: "Mario Draghi, the Prime Minister - just a second." Jacobs then moved a few meters to the side to make a phone call.

Meanwhile, a wave of congratulations broke out on the Internet after the two athletes' victory. Numerous politicians congratulated the two. After winning the title at the European Football Championship, it has already been a successful, memorable year for Italy.

Click here for the Olympic medal table.

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Italy's Golden Sunday: A country is upside down

“The biggest day in Italian sports history” is the headline from several media companies in the boot state. It's an attempt to put everything that Marcell Jacobs and Gianmarco Tamberi achieved in Tokyo on Sunday afternoon in a headline that was almost sensational.

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