(CNN) – A moving scene, really. On Sunday, two athletes jointly won the gold medal in the male high jump of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
Both Gianmarco Tamberi (Italy) and Mutaz Essa Barshim (Qatar) had identical records after exceeding 2.37 meters. Afterwards, they tried, unsuccessfully, to exceed 2.39 meters.
So according to the Official website of the Olympic Games, the judge approached both athletes to ask them if they wanted to tie the tie or share the gold.
The two decided to give up the tiebreaker and agreed to share the gold medal and the title of Olympic champions.
Tamberi and Barshim set their best records of the season as they pushed each other toward gold.
Belarusian Maksim Nedasekau took bronze in the event after also exceeding 2.37 meters, but with more total attempts than the Olympic champions.
Credit: CHRISTIAN PETERSEN / POOL / AFP via Getty Images
Tamberi and Barshim reflected on their victory at the Olympics and their injuries
“It’s unreal, it’s crazy. I’m very happy. It was the only thing missing (in his high jump career). Now I’m complete, I’m very happy,” Barshim said. “It’s incredible. Sharing it with Marco is an incredible feeling. It’s a great feeling. I’m very happy.”
Barshim recovered from an ankle injury, while Tamberi suffered career-threatening injuries.
“After my injuries, I just wanted to go back. But now I have this gold, it is incredible. I have dreamed of this so many times,” said Tamberi. “I was told in 2016, just before the Rio Olympics, that there was a risk that I would not be able to compete anymore. It was a long journey.”