Olympics-Athletics-Barshim, Tamberi 'love-in' takes another leap on podium

By Sudipto Ganguly

TOKYO (Reuters) - The camaraderie between Qatar's Mutaz Essa Barshim and Italy's Gianmarco Tamberi continued during the Olympic men's high jump victory ceremony on Monday, a day after the pair opted to share the gold medal.

Both Barshim, 30, and the 29-year-old Tamberi cleared 2.37 metres on Sunday evening. Facing the prospect of a jump-off to decide the winner, they persuaded organisers to let them share the triumph.

Videos and pictures of the good friends clasping hands, whooping for joy and embracing each other have gone viral on social media.

After climbing on to the podium together, Barshim and Tamberi presented the gold medals to each other amid more hugs and switched places to face their flags when each national anthem was played.

"He is one of my best friends, not only on the track, but outside the track," Barshim said on Sunday.

"We work together. This is a dream come true. It is the true spirit, the sportsman spirit, and we are here delivering this message."

It was the first time since the 1912 Olympics that a gold medal was shared in athletics - in both pentathlon and decathlon at the Stockholm Games.

(Reporting by Sudipto Ganguly; editing by Ed Osmond)

Tokyo 2020 Olympics - Athletics - Men's High Jump - Medal Ceremony - Olympic Stadium, Tokyo, Japan – August 2, 2021. Gold medallists, Gianmarco Tamberi of Italy and Mutaz Essa Barshim of Qatar pose as they celebrate on the podium REUTERS/Dylan Martinez

Tokyo 2020 Olympics - Athletics - Men's High Jump - Medal Ceremony - Olympic Stadium, Tokyo, Japan – August 2, 2021. Gold medallists, Gianmarco Tamberi of Italy and Mutaz Essa Barshim of Qatar wearing protective face masks share the top platform on the podium REUTERS/Dylan Martinez

Tokyo 2020 Olympics - Athletics - Men's High Jump - Medal Ceremony - Olympic Stadium, Tokyo, Japan – August 2, 2021. Gold medallists, Gianmarco Tamberi of Italy and Mutaz Essa Barshim of Qatar wearing protective face masks on the podium place the medals around their necks REUTERS/Dylan Martinez

Tokyo 2020 Olympics - Athletics - Men's High Jump - Medal Ceremony - Olympic Stadium, Tokyo, Japan – August 2, 2021. Gold medallists, Gianmarco Tamberi of Italy and Mutaz Essa Barshim of Qatar wearing protective face masks pose on the podium REUTERS/Dylan Martinez

Tokyo 2020 Olympics - Athletics - Men's High Jump - Medal Ceremony - Olympic Stadium, Tokyo, Japan – August 2, 2021. Gold medallists, Gianmarco Tamberi of Italy and Mutaz Essa Barshim of Qatar wearing protective face masks celebrate on the podium REUTERS/Dylan Martinez

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