With this glorious victory, Qatar has secured its second gold medal, a day after weightlifter Fares Ibrahim brought the country’s first ever Olympic gold in men’s 96kg .
Barshim shared the gold medal with Italian Gianmarco Tamberi, after they managed to clear 2.37m without a failed attempt. Both the athletes failed at all their three attempts at 2.39m.
After a short talk with the referee, Barshim and Tamberi agreed to share the gold. Maksim Nedasekau of Belarus, who also cleared 2.37, took the bronze on countback.
Sheikh Joaan applauded the significant support of His Highness the Amir to the Qatar’s sport movement, which remains a motivating factor behind this unique success of Qatari athletes.
The QOC president congratulated the country’s superstar Barshim and appreciated his perseverance and hard work, which together paid off with an amazing gold medal in Tokyo, to be added to his two silver medals from London 2012 and Rio 2016.
Sheikh Joaan said this achievement has further showcased the talent of the Qatari superstar and his dominance in the high jump at the world level.
He appreciated the Qatar Athletics Federation’s efforts in boosting the country’s athletics movement to a new standard of success. The QOC president also lauded the role of Aspire Academy in building and developing the talent of Barshim since his early years.
“Qatar’s ninth participation in the Olympics was outstanding and impressive by all standards, in which athletes left no stone unturned to honour our sport movement perfectly at this bigger sport event,” said the QOC president.
QOC secretary-general HE Jassim bin Rashid al-Buainain expressed his overwhelming happiness for Barshim’s victory.
He congratulated His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, and HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani, the QOC President, the Qatar Athletics Federation and the Qatari people for Barshim’s historic achievement.
He added: “Praise be to God, our heroes succeeded in achieving gold medals. He has decreed strategic plans and we hope that the rest of the athletes will continue to reap the distinguished and positive results.”
Asian Athletics Association (AAA) President HE Dahlan Jumaan al-Hamad also congratulated the Amir , the Father Amir, His Highness the Deputy Amir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani, and QOC President HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani on the achievement of Barshim. The AAA said the great achievements of Barshim in high jump and Fares Ibrahim in weightlifting demonstrate the great attention paid by the wise leadership to sports and athletes.