From showman to golden boy: Tamberi's special transformation

The beard is gone. Half the beard, mind you. It was the trademark of Gianmarco Tamberi, the Italian high jumper from the province of Macerata in the Marche region. One half of his face was always as clean-shaven as a child's bottom for competition, the other side was adorned with a jet-black beard. Tamberi saw himself as an artist, an entertainer in the sports circus, whose audience he enchanted with high jumps.

There wasn't much missing in Monte Carlo in 2016 and he could have jumped over a soccer goal with his back to the beam. This measures exactly 2.44m. Tamberi jumped 2.39, which was the Italian record for the Civitanovese. This is what the residents of Civitanova Marche, his hometown, call themselves. Then he got cocky and wanted more. Even more. He saw the chance to attack Cuban Javier Sotomayor's world record (2.45m), which he set in 1993. Gianmarco Tamberi was in the form of his life. I was in the stadium at the time as a commentator and saw him suddenly scream so loudly as he jumped off that it went through his bones. Heartbreaking. The examination revealed a completely destroyed ankle. A nightmare for everyone, a disaster for a high jumper. Timberi's lifestyle “Goodbye Rio. Farewell my Rio. Please wake me from this nightmare. Give me back my dream," he wrote on Facebook, adding: "I would like to say I'm coming back even stronger. But right now all I can do is cry.” He only saw Rio on TV.

Five years later. It was another night of velvet and silk. The air seemed to be charged with electricity as he began his high jump. Finally after what felt like an eternity that was characterized by pain, hopes and dreams. He finally got to the Olympics and jumped for his life. His new life. Without a beard, completely normal. “I don’t need the external display anymore,” he said.

Gianmarco Tamberi with his mascot, a plaster splint. © APA/afp / CAMERON SPENCER

He wanted to let actions speak for themselves and they succeeded. This time he didn't jump quite as high as he did back in Monte Carlo. Two centimeters less and yet, together with Mutaz Essa Barshim from Qatar, he was the only high jumper who remained in the competition. Both without any failed attempts so far. Both then broke the bar at 2.39m and were suddenly faced with the cruel situation of having to play a play-off for the gold medal. “Do you want that,” a referee asked the competitors and added to his short speech: “Or are you okay with two gold medals?” What a question! Tamberi and Barshim just looked at each other for a moment and then hugged each other. A magic fell over the stadium, Tamberi and Barshim danced exuberantly. Such a decision had never been made in athletics in the history of the Olympic Games. Jacobs' special story We suddenly saw the Italian mascot. It was a plaster splint. His memory of the last five years, in which he constantly thought only about the Olympic Games in Tokyo. Then came the one-year postponement and Tamberi was happy. He had exactly twelve more months to get into the shape he was in before Rio de Janeiro. And then the cornucopia of happiness had another surprise in store. Tamberi was still cheering when his friend Marcell Jacobs raced across the finish line of the 100m race. With a new European record of 9.80 seconds as the fastest of the entire field. He succeeded Usain Bolt and ran straight into the arms of Tamberi.

And Jacobs also has a special story. He was born in the USA. His mom is Italian. When his father left the family he was still a baby. It was only a year ago that he had his first contact with his father, who sent him another message before Tokyo. That gave him even more motivation, said Jacobs, the first European Olympic champion in the 100m run since 1992.

A day later, after a restless night, there was an award ceremony for both of them. who touched everyone's hearts, especially in the high jump. Barshim hung the medal around Tamberi's neck, who promptly returned the favor. When the respective national anthem was played, they changed positions and then rejoiced together again. The flags of Italy and Qatar were hoisted together on the flagpole. The sport made two competitors friends for life. That is at least as valuable as the medals they both received.

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From showman to golden boy: Tamberi's special transformation

Our columnist, television commentator Sigi Heinrich, follows the Olympic Games in Tokyo for Eurosport. Of course, he didn't miss the double gold coup of the Italian athletes. He has a special experience in particular with Gianmarco Tamberi.

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