REIGNING Olympic high jump champion Mutaz Barshim suffered an injury scare in qualifying for the men’s final today.
The 33-year-old pulled up with what appeared to be a calf injury before attempting his fourth jump.
He immediately bailed and limped straight onto the field, where he sat down clutching his leg.
Gianmarco Tamberi, who shared the gold medal with Barshim at the last Olympic Games back in Tokyo, rushed over to him to help.
Fans took to social media to react to the classy gesture, with one person writing: “Another incredible moment shared between Mutaz Barshim and Gianmarco Tamberi.”
Another commented: “Best Olympic bromance ever!”
While a third said: “From sharing gold in Tokyo to supporting each other during qualifying in Paris – the friendship and sporting rivalry between Gianmarco Tamberi and Mutaz Barshim is special.”
Tamberi and Barshim both won Olympic gold in high jump three years ago.
The duo were tied at 2.37m and were given the chance to share the medal.
But both struggled in qualifying this morning for different reasons.
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While Barshim appeared to be affected by his calf strain, Tamberi was still recovering from a kidney problem.
The Italian was hospitalised last week, just days before high jump qualification.
However, he was discharged in time for his event.
Tamberi qualified in second in Group B with a height of 2.24m, behind New Zealand’s Hamish Kerr.
Meanwhile, Barshim qualified in second in Group A with a height of 2.27m.
Both athletes embraced each other after booking a spot in the final.
Nearly 15,000 residents – around 10,500 of which are athletes – will be cramming into the Olympic village between July 26 and August 11.
To ensure the athletes feel at home, a number of provisions have been made by organisers.
One of these is the stocking of some 300,000 condoms, in theory enough for around two every day during the run of the Games.
A number of Olympic athletes have opened the door on their steamy lives behind-the-scenes when in camp, including huge sex orgies and parties.
London 2012 had claimed the title of “the raunchiest Games ever”, but the 150,000 condoms ordered paled in comparison to the 450,000 ordered for the Rio Games four years later.
Condoms have been laid on by organisers at every game since Seoul 1988, when it they were used to spread awareness of HIV and AIDS.
Even with an intimacy ban at Tokyo 2020 due to Covid-19, some 150,000 johnnies were handed out.
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