In the high jump event at the 2021 Olympics, Qatar’s Mutaz Essa Barshim and Italy’s Gianmarco Tamberi both cleared 2.37 meters but failed to reach 2.39 meters on all three tries. The official approached the athletes to discuss the jump off. At that point Barshim asked if it is possible to share gold. The referee’s response, “It is possible…” With that the two athletes looked at each other and they instantly agreed. Tamberi jumped into Barshim’s arms and both began to celebrate. It was a magical moment.
Sharing gold is very uncommon. The last time it happened was 1912 in the decathlon. It has also happened in 1908 in the pole vault event. In the winter Olympics, it recently happened when Simone Manuel and Penny Oleksiak e Manuel swam the same 52.7 seconds in women’s 100m freestyle. However, this time it was different. This time the two decided to share the gold. “Sharing with a friend is even more beautiful… It was just magical,” Tamberi said. In the same interview, Barshim called Tamberi one of his best friends. “We’re always together almost. True spirit, sportsman spirit, coming here and delivering this message.”
Joe’s Perspective: There are more important aspects than winning. Friendship is one and sportsmanship is another. These two athletes had been competing against each other since 2010. They both had endured ankle injuries that could have ended their careers. Each supported the other through these tough times. These two athletes from different countries and different cultures created an enduring friendship. They both knew what the other had gone through to get to that moment. So, when the opportunity to share gold was presented, it was a foregone conclusion. And, it will be a moment they will never forget. Likewise, we will not forget their example of sportsmanship.
Your Turn: What do you think of their decision to share the gold on the world’s biggest stage?
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I like their decision, it shows that winning isn’t everything and that friendship is more important than a medal
I like that they were both willing to share the gold and not try to take it for them selfs shows empathy and leader ship
I like what they did it showed great sportsmanship one of the best skills to have.
It was cool that they decided to share the gold
It showed Great sportsmanship and that winning is not everything
I liked the players decision of sharing the gold medal. It shows that the olympics isn’t just to win win and win but to build up relationships and friends while learning
I think it is a good choice because they were showing that winning isn’t everything and that there is stuff more important than winning.
What they did showed how much more being nice means than to win.
I like the fact that two champions were crowned because it shows the athletic prowess of today’s athletes is unmatched
I think their decision to share was a good one. Potentially ruining their friendship, careers, or lives over their own competitiveness isn’t worth it. Winning isn’t everything, and these guys proved it.
I think their decision was probably a good one, they already have a great friendship and you shouldn’t ruin that, however if I was in their shoes I would have a hard time sharing gold, I would probably want to keep competing for it because that’s the type of person that I am.
I liked their decision and I thought that it showed a great sense of sportsmanship and maturity. It is a good example of how winning is not the greatest priority ever.
I think that sharing the medal position and bonding over a friendship is way more important than devastating another person because these athletes train their whole lives for this moment and may never get a second chance. I would rather have a live long friendship than some metal disk that said I was #1. It’s the real value of things that count.
I think there decision showed true sportsmanship! Awesome
I feel this showed how winning isn’t everything but sportsmanship is.
I like their decision, it shows that having good sportsmanship is better than winning
I think it was a good decision and make them even better friends.
this shows how you can having sportsmanship and empathy can lead to good things.
I think that they did the right thing saying that sportsmanship and friendship is more important than winning.
I like their decision. It is a good reminder that winning isn’t everything.
What a good decision, sportsmanship over winning is something so many can learn from.
They’re decision shows that friendship is as important as the championship. They both achieved their goals while keeping their friendship.
I liked that they put each other before themselves. Although winning is important, they know sportsmanship is more important.
I think that is was a good decision and it showed good sportsmanship
I think what they did shows that life doesn’t always have to be a competition
I like their decision. It’s good to see people share a spotlight with others to prove winning isn’t everything.
I like how they showed it’s not all about winning but more about building relationships along the way
I liked that they put people before themselves. They know winning is important but to have good sportsmanship is also important.
I think it was a good idea to share the medal. They both seemed vary happy and it was a good act of sportsmanship
I liked that when the opportunity presented itself, they thought of others and not just themselves. It’s a good reminder that sports is just a game and being kind and thoughtful of others is more important.
I think that them sharing gold was a good decision. To win a gold medal is in itself an accomplish it, but to share it with a friend is even more so.
I belive that they made the right choice to share the gold because they were able to keep their friendship alive and were both able to bring home a gold medal to their countries.
It was a good deduction and shows winning and friendship can go hand and hand.
I liked that they both agreed to share gold. It’s refreshing to see that both didn’t try to over do themselves just to beat the other and they were able to both get what they wanted.
I liked that they both agreed to share gold. It’s refreshing to see that both didn’t try to over do themselves just to beat the other and they were able to both get what they wanted..
I think they did good because they were being fair with each other and we’re both bringing home gold for there country
I think it’s a good idea but at the same time I believe that the olympics are there to show the best in the world not the 2 best
I believe that this showed that winning is important but so is friendship and sportsmanship.
I think their decision was right and fair. I think sportsmen’s is huge in sports. If you don’t know how to be a good sport then you shouldn’t be playing the sport at all.
I liked their decision because since they were too close to tell it wasn’t won in an unfair way.
it shows good sportsmanship and that winning isn’t everything.
I agree with what they choose to do, it was a smart choice to share the gold. it was both fair and friendly.
It shows that sportsmanship is more important than winning all the time. Sportsmanship is a great feature to have.
I think it is cool that they did this. It shows good sportsmanship and that they are good people.
i believe it showed sportsmanship and a level or respect.
I think it just showed their mutual respect for each other and how they were able to rise above competition
i think that it was a good decision because both athletes worked really hard and they were ok with it
i think it was a good decision because both athletes were ok the same level and they were ok with it
I think they did the right thing because they were being fair with eachother and keep their friendship, and they brought the gold medal home for their country.
I agree with the decision. I think it was more important to put friendship and sportsmanship before winning
Shows that sports aren’t just competitive but they are meant to bring people closer
I think this is a really good story it is good that they did jot even hesitate to share the gold medal. This is showing really good sportsmanship!
I think it showed how the people worked as a team even though they weren’t a team
It’s nice for both of them to get gold. I think this shows how we are still nice to each other while competing.
I think they definitely made the right decision. However, I would have a hard time doing it because I’m competitive but if I were in their shoes, I think I would end up doing the right thing and share the gold.
I think that it was a very nice thing to do and the fact that he did it for a friend is way better
I think they made a good decision, by sharing gold they showed how friendship and sportsmanship is most important when competing.
I think it was a great decision so they could share that once in a lifetime moment together.
I think that they made a good decision, even though we are competing against each other it shows that we are kind and respectful towards our opponents. Sharing gold is showing good sportsmanship.
I think it is really cool that they were able to share the gold and both win.
I think this shows hope that it’s more about the love of the game than winning, great sportsmanship.