King Tamberi threatens to withdraw from the Olympics
Just before the start of the high jump competitions at the Olympics in Paris, Gianmarco Tamberi has to go to the hospital instead of boarding his planned flight. The world champion and Olympic gold medalist is suffering loudly on social media, but he hasn't given up hope.
Olympic high jump champion Gianmarco Tamberi has had to postpone his journey to the Summer Games in Paris due to a kidney stone. "Three days before the competition I've sacrificed everything for, I now find myself helpless in bed with a fever of 38.8 degrees," the 32-year-old Italian team flag bearer wrote on Instagram Sunday evening. He hopes to be able to travel to Paris on Monday, one day late.
"One thing is certain, I don't know how I'll get there, but I will be there and give it my all until the last jump, whatever state I'm in. I swear to you, but above all, I swear to myself," he wrote. The qualification for the high jump competition is on Wednesday, with the final scheduled for Saturday. Tamberi is considered a gold medal contender.
"I don't deserve all this"
The Italian had already made headlines after the opening ceremony of the Games in Paris because he lost his wedding ring during the ceremony on the Seine. The kidney stone caught the Italian just before his planned departure for the competitions. "Unbelievable... This can't be happening," he wrote. He suddenly felt a pain in his side, was taken to the emergency room, and examined.
"I can only wait and hope." He plans to fly to Paris on Monday, "hoping that this nightmare will end with some rest. I don't deserve all this, I've done everything for these Olympic Games," Tamberi complained.
After women's world champion Jaroslawa Mahutschich improved the long-standing world record in the high jump a month ago, the Ukrainian also won the gold medal on Sunday. The 22-year-old won with 2.00 meters, ahead of the Tokyo silver medalist Nicola Olyslagers from Australia, who also cleared 2.00 meters. It was the first Olympic gold for Ukraine in this event. Mahutschich had fewer errors than the Australian beforehand. Christina Honsel was close to a surprising bronze medal. The athlete from Bochum finished in sixth place in the Olympic final with a season best of 1.95 meters.
Despite the setback with his kidney stone, Olympic high jump champion Gianmarco Tamberi remains hopeful to participate in the Olympic Games 2024 in Paris, stating, "I don't know how I'll get there, but I will be there and give it my all until the last jump, whatever state I'm in." Despite his delayed arrival due to health issues, Tamberi continues to remain a gold medal contender in the high jump competition, scheduled to start on Wednesday.
