An unforgettable summer for Italian sport. The European of football won by Mancini's team was just the beginning: something fantastic, unpredictable, historic is happening at the Tokyo Olympics. A little while ago two gold medals in fifteen minutes: those of Marcell Jacobs in the 100 meters and of Gimbo Tamberi in the high jump. An incredible success for these two Italian athletes who then let themselves go in an embrace that will soon be printed in the history books of sport. A wonderful image that was very reminiscent of the embrace between Mancini and Vialli at the end of Italy-England, the final of the recent European Championship. Indelible photos of a summer that is giving really great emotions to the whole country.
Marcell Jacobs, the fastest man in the world
Marcell Jacobs is a class of 1994 and, as mentioned, he took home the gold medal in the 100 meters final, but there is more. The Italian has in fact set a European record: he reached the finish line in 9 ”80. Behind him Fred Kerley with 9 ”84. The bronze medal instead goes to the Canadian De Grasse in 9 ”89. Jacobs had already reached a historic milestone by qualifying for the 100m Olympic final, now he even takes home gold in one of the noblest disciplines of these Olympic games. “I tried to run as fast as I could. It happened, it happened ", he said at the end of the race. Then the hug with Tamberi: "I saw Gimbo win and I thought 'Why can't I do it too?'". The dedication is also very special: "I dedicate this gold to my grandfather who is no longer there, to my children, my mother, my family". But who is Marcell Jacobs? Former American soldier from Texas, ex-US Army soldier at the Vicenza base. A very complicated relationship with his father, which was later resolved; three children, he started as a long-distance runner but then turned into a splendid sprinter, now the fastest of all.
Tamberi's dream comes true
The other splendid story is that of Gianmarco Tamberi, known as Gimbo. Shortly before Jacobs he won the gold medal in the high jump: both he and Mutaz Essa Barshim jumped 2,37 on the first attempt; after failing 2,39, they both chose to avoid the playoff. He brought the plaster from his Rio 2016 injury with him to Tokyo and celebrated with it at the end of the race. "I had a lot of difficulties but I did it: I won the Olympics, and now I will never sleep again". A fantastic story, also fueled by this special relationship with Barshim. The two had a very similar path: “We had the same injury, I would have shared the medal only with him. He deserved it, I made a dream come true. I wrote a piece of history and now I can't wait to tell my children about it ”.
Photo sources: @ConiNews · Sport
