Tokyo Olympics: 'Can we have two golds?' - high jumpers share win

Mutaz Barshim and Gianmarco Tamberi — Mutaz Barshim asked the Olympic official if they could have two gold medals, to which the steward nodded, saying, “if you can agree to share it”.

An incredible Olympic high jump final ended with both Qatar’s Mutaz Barshim and Italy’s Gianmarco Tamberi taking gold medals.

After an exhausting two-hour competition, the pair couldn’t be split having recorded best clearances of 2.37 metres.

The athletes were offered an opportunity to take part in a jump-off.

But in a moment of radiant sportsmanship, they agreed to share the title, sparking huge celebrations.

It is the first joint Olympic podium in athletics since 1912.

Gianmarco Tamberi — Tamberi suffered a leg injury just before the Rio 2016 Olympics which ruled him out of the Games. He kept the cast, writing ‘Road to Tokyo 2020’ on it, and had it with him as he won Olympic gold.

Maksim Nedasekau of Belarus took bronze, having also jumped at 2.37m, but having more failed attempts across the competition.

The pair embraced before running to celebrate with their coaches and team-mates, hoisting their nation’s flags above their heads.

Barshim can add the gold medal to his back to back World titles, and is the winner of Qatar’s second ever Olympic gold medal, after weightlifter Fares Elbakh won the first on Saturday in the men’s 96kg event.

Tamberi was still celebrating on the track when his compatriot Lamont Marcell Jacobs ran into his arms, following his surprise win in the men’s 100m final.