Olympic high jump champion Gianmarco Tamberi recently shared on Instagram that he is facing a health challenge as he prepares to defend his title in Paris. Tamberi revealed that he is back in Italy dealing with what doctors suspect to be a kidney stone, putting his participation in the upcoming competition at risk.
Expressing disbelief at the timing of his health issue, Tamberi recounted experiencing sudden and intense pain shortly after a social media post where he expressed his feelings of deserving success. Following medical examinations including a CT scan, ultrasound, and blood analysis, doctors indicated the presence of a likely kidney stone.
With only three days left before the high jump competition, Tamberi found himself confined to a bed, weakened by a high fever. His departure for Paris, originally scheduled for the day of his post, was postponed in the hopes that rest would aid in his recovery.
The men's high jump qualification is set to take place on Wednesday, with the final scheduled for Saturday. Tamberi's victory at the Tokyo Olympics in 2018, where he and Qatari athlete Mutaz Essa Barshim opted to share the gold medal, propelled him into the spotlight.
