Italian high jumper Gianmarco Tamberi has apologized to his wife after losing his wedding ring during the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics.
The 32-year-old world champion was waving the flag for Italy on a boat on the River Seine when the ring slipped off his finger.
He expressed his regret on Instagram, saying, “I’m sorry my love, I’m so sorry,” in a post dedicated to his wife, Chiara Bontempi Tamberi. He blamed “losing too many kilos” and “irrepressible enthusiasm” for the mishap.
Tamberi wrote that if he had to lose the ring, the River Seine, in the “city of love,” was a fitting place. He called the loss “poetic” and suggested they throw Chiara’s ring in the river too so the rings could “be together forever” and give them a reason to renew their vows.
Chiara responded to his apology, saying, “Only you could turn this into something romantic.” The couple has been married since September 2022.
Tamberi was waving Italy’s flag with three-time Olympic medalist Arianna Errigo when the ring fell into the river. He described the moment as “a few moments that lasted forever.”
Tamberi is also known for sharing the high jump gold medal with Qatar’s Mutaz Essa Barshim at the Tokyo 2020 Games and for his unique “trademark” style of a half-shaven beard. This story highlights the romantic and personal side of Olympic athletes, as reported by the BBC.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy68w3z8vdxo