The irrepressible Gianmarco Tamberi won his third successive men’s high jump title at the Birmingham 2026 European Athletics Championships on Friday (14), on a golden night made all the more memorable by a very special family celebration.
In summary
- Tamberi rediscovers golden touch for third successive title with 2.32m
- European indoor champion Doroshchuk wins silver
- Sioli adds another Italian medal for bronze
Plagued by injury in recent seasons, the 34-year-old Olympic and world champion summoned another of his trademark performances to take gold with a second-attempt clearance at 2.32m.
It proved the decisive moment of the competition. Ukraine’s European indoor champion Oleh Doroshchuk had been flawless up to that point, but after Tamberi went clear at 2.32m, the pressure told. Doroshchuk failed three times at the height, leaving the Italian champion of Europe once again.
It was Tamberi’s fourth European outdoor title and his first medal of any colour since his triumph at the Roma 2024 European Athletics Championships.
His compatriot Matteo Sioli completed a memorable night for Italy by taking bronze with 2.27m. With the medal already secured, he retired from the competition after one unsuccessful attempt at 2.30m.
Great Britain’s big hope Kirani Jack had to settle for fourth, clearing 2.24m before three failures at 2.27m.
But this was Tamberi’s night. After an early scare with one failure at his opening height of 2.18m, and another miss at 2.30m, the great showman found something extra when it mattered most, soaring over 2.32m to reclaim his place on top of the European podium.
A family birthday to remember
And even then, Tamberi had saved perhaps the most touching moment until last.
Friday was not only the night he became European champion again. It was also the first birthday of his daughter, Camilla.
With the gold medal secured and the celebrations in full swing, Tamberi turned the packed stadium into a birthday party, leading the Birmingham crowd in a rendition of “Happy Birthday” for his one-year-old daughter.
For an athlete whose greatest victories have so often been accompanied by unforgettable theatre, this one came with an especially personal finale: another European gold for dad, on Camilla’s very first birthday.
What they said...
Gianmarco Tamberi: "I used my mind, my power to try to do my best when it really mattered. I really needed everyone's support tonight. I can tell you, it was not easy to come and fight, when you are not ready to fight.
"It seemed to the crowd supported me the same as the British guys. Today is the birthday of my little one - my daughter, Camila. This is my birthday present for her."