Two Olympians propose sharing gold medals after tying in men’s high jump

Two Olympians opted on Sunday to share their gold medals after tying in the men’s high jump.

Italy’s Gianmarco Tamberi and Qatar’s Mutaz Barshim, who have been friends for more than 10 years, had been able to progress successfully through the six jumps measuring up to 2.37 meters (or about 7.78 feet), The Washington Post reported. 

However, neither of them had been able to surpass 2.39 meters (7.84 feet), the Olympic record, after each attempted the height three times. The official asked the two if they wanted to settle the tie with a jump-off instead.

Barshim asked if they could instead have two gold medals, and the official confirmed that two could be given out.

The Italian high jumper celebrated the news, letting out a primal scream and running around the track, according to NBC. 

“We didn’t even answer, we just enjoyed the moment, because we want it so much,” Tamberi said, according to the Post. “We are very good friends.”

“For me, coming here, I know for a fact that for the performance I did, I deserve that gold,” Barshim said, according to The Associated Press. “He did the same thing, so I know he deserved that gold.”

Barshim said he wanted to show younger generations what good sportsmanship looked like.

“This is beyond sport,” Barshim said, according to the AP. “This is the message we deliver to the young generation.”