Gianmarco Tamberi Loses Wedding Ring in Seine River During Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony
- Italian Olympic high jumper Gianmarco Tamberi lost his wedding ring in the Seine River during a public event.
- The incident added to the theatrical persona Tamberi often embodies during competitions.
- Fans and followers took to social media to express their concern and support for the athlete.
PARIS (AP) — Italian high jumper Gianmarco Tamberi experienced a dramatic mishap during the rainy opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics, losing his wedding ring in the Seine River. In a heartfelt Instagram post, Tamberi expressed his remorse to his wife, Chiara Bontempi, stating, “I’m really, really sorry.” He attributed the loss to the combination of rain, weight loss, and overwhelming excitement surrounding the event. Tamberi, known for his flamboyant personality, has a history of memorable moments at major competitions. Last month, he humorously pretended to hide springs in his shoes during the European Championships, where he won gold and celebrated with Italy's President Sergio Mattarella. His exuberant celebrations, including sharing gold with friend Mutaz Barshim at the Tokyo Games, have often overshadowed his athletic achievements. The high jumper recounted the moment he felt the ring slip from his finger while on a boat ride along the Seine with representatives from Israel and Jamaica. Despite his efforts to track the ring's descent, it ultimately bounced away from him. As he prepares for the men’s high jump competition on August 7, Tamberi remains optimistic, suggesting that the ring's loss might be a sign of greater success ahead. In a lighthearted twist, Tamberi invited his wife to toss her ring into the Seine as well, joking that it would ensure their rings would be “together forever” and provide a reason to renew their vows.