Just three days before the Paris Games’ qualifying round, the Italian athlete revealed he was dealing with a suspected kidney issue. In a memorable scene from Tokyo three years ago, Tamberi and Qatar’s Mutaz Barshim decided to share the gold medal after the event officials allowed it due to their identical clearances.
However, on Sunday, Tamberi shared a photo of himself in a hospital bed and expressed his disbelief: “This is unbelievable… I can’t believe this is happening. Yesterday, I experienced a sharp pain in my side.”
He continued, detailing his medical situation: “I went to the emergency room, where I had a CT scan, ultrasound, and blood tests. It’s likely a kidney stone.” The 32-year-old athlete revealed he had been advised to delay his travel to Paris until Monday.
“One thing is certain—I don’t know how I’ll get there, but I will be on that platform and give everything I have, regardless of my condition,” he said. The qualifying rounds are scheduled for Wednesday morning, with the final event set for Sunday.