Ancona, September 15, 2026 – If you think of a high jump record, you already know that one day Gianmarco Tamberi will come to break a previous one. If you think of this or that competition in the same discipline, you already know that one day Gianmarco Tamberi will come to win it.
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Even better if under the eyes of his wife Chiara Bontempi and their little daughter Camilla, who from the stands called him (‘Babà, babà’) and cheered for him.
Here is the (most beautiful) family snapshot from the third and final day of the Ultimate Championship in Budapest, where Sunday evening Gimbo jumped 2.37 (the best world performance of the year), before running to the stands to his loved ones and celebrating (with a beer) among the crowd applauding him. The Olympic champion (to summarize) now looks ahead to the next two years that will be decisive for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Chiara Bontempi, welcome back. Gianmarco has confirmed himself as a sports legend. But reading this expression, ‘sports legend’, and knowing you have him at home: how does that make you feel?
“Uhm. How does it make me feel? I won’t hide that despite Gianmarco having achieved many great results, I did not expect a competition like the one on Sunday evening. Of course, winning was the goal. It was something achievable. But every competition has its own story and you should never take anything for granted. Honestly, though, I didn’t think I would see him jump such high marks again this year. As I always tell him, it is an honor and a privilege to share my life with him. Because what he does, like other athletes, is extraordinary. That’s why I am privileged to have him by my side.”
I looked at him and said: ‘I don’t know what to say. I have no more words to describe you. You are my idol’
I try to rewind the tape. Right after the victory, during the interviews, he said he had a lot of fun and was thrilled to have made her and your daughter Camilla especially happy. So I ask: what were your feelings?
“It’s true, we had a lot of fun because it was a spectacular competition. A new meeting, very beautiful and scenic. A competition that gives value to this sport. Something that is missing: there should be more events like this. We had a great time and Camilla was always very engaged, very involved. She kept shouting ‘Babà, babà’, because that’s what she calls him: ‘Babà’ (and how sweet it is when a daughter calls her dad for the first time, ed). Then she clapped her hands. I must say she loves being in stadiums watching him. In short, it was wonderful.”
It is an honor and a privilege to share my life with him. Because what he does, like other athletes, is extraordinary
I return to the sports front, especially today: Gimbo also said he is looking at Los Angeles…
“And I will be brief in answering about Los Angeles, because the fact that he wants to continue until then is public and known to everyone. He will put all his effort, both next year and in the Olympic year. But every season is different and we’ll see. This one, obviously, gives good hope. It wasn’t even taken for granted. He is the only one to have jumped, at this age (34 years, ed), this height. We are very positive.”
Is it also your dream to see him compete in another Olympics as a protagonist?
“Obviously yes. It is my dream to see him take his revenge for everything that happened in Paris.”
There was also another ‘opening’ regarding a possible participation in the World Championships in Rome, at least a hope: what do you think?
“We’ll see year by year, also because this career seems never-ending (laughs, ed). It is something very stimulating and if everything goes well it will be really wonderful.”
What would you like to say to Gianmarco?
“When Sunday evening I went to his room to see him, after he came back from all the interviews he does, and usually they ‘hold’ him for an hour or more – Chiara adds jokingly – I looked at him and said: ‘I don’t know what to say. I have no more words to describe you. You are my idol and so I feel like telling you this.’ I am happy with how this year went, a wonderful season and so let’s keep going.”
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