Italian High Jumper Apologizes for Losing Wedding Ring at Paris Olympics

Italian high jumper Gianmarco Tamberi has publicly apologized to his wife, Chiara Bontempi Tamberi, after losing his wedding ring during the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics. The incident occurred while he was proudly waving the Italian flag from a boat on the River Seine. In a heartfelt Instagram post, the 32-year-old world champion expressed his remorse, attributing the loss to his "irrepressible enthusiasm" and recent weight loss. Tamberi reflected on the incident, stating that if he had to lose the ring, he could not have chosen a more fitting location, calling it "poetic." He humorously suggested that they could throw Chiara's ring into the river as well, allowing both rings to "remain together forever" and providing them with an opportunity to renew their vows. Chiara responded to her husband's post with affection, acknowledging his ability to turn the mishap into something romantic. The couple, married since September 2022, experienced a moment of unexpected drama as Tamberi waved the flag alongside fellow athlete Arianna Errigo when the ring slipped off his finger and vanished into the river. He described the fleeting moment as "a few moments that lasted forever." Tamberi is no stranger to the spotlight, having previously made headlines at the Tokyo 2020 Games for sharing a gold medal with Qatar's Mutaz Essa Barshim, and for his distinctive half-shaven beard, which has become his trademark style since 2011.