High jumpers incredible reactions to sharing Olympic gold at Tokyo 2020

Qatar's Mutaz Barshim and Italian Gianmarco Tamberi both shared the high jump gold medal in what were incredible scenes in Tokyo.

The pair were battling it out to see who could go higher having both negotiated a high of 2.37m

But neither could manage to nail their final three jumps attempts and spoke to the official about their options.

Normally there would be a jump off, but they were told that "it's possible if you both decide" to share the prize – and before he could finish speaking the gesture was made.

Qatari Barshim offered Tamberi his hand to show he was happy to agree on the split and the top step of the podium was shared.

The pair embraced each other before celebrating wildly.

Tamberi said: “This night is memorable and we made our dreams come true.

“We have passed through many difficult times and now to win the Olympic championship together – I don’t know what to say.

“I have dreamed, we have dreamed it, so many times and now we did it.”

Barshim added: “I’m really happy. It’s an amazing feeling. I’m proud of myself. Winning the gold at the Olympics is a dream.

“I’m really grateful and we have been through a lot.”

The Qatari had previously claimed bronze at London in 2012 and then silver in Rio four years later.

His gold is also the Asian country's second gold medal in as many days after the success of weightlifter Fares Ibrahim

Maksim Nedasekau of Belarus claimed the bronze medal.

Elsewhere on Sunday Briton Max Whitlock retained his Olympic title after claiming gold in the men's pommel horse.

Afterward his triumph he told BBC Sport: "I feel lost for words. I am completely overwhelmed and it feels kind of surreal.

"I had seen the other sports, gold medals flowing in and I wanted to do the same here. Incredible journey."

He then added on the pressure of being defending champion: "It is a million times harder.

"The pressure was there and I could feel it. Experience pays a lot in situations like this.

"Being first up meant I had to go all out. I couldn't watch the scores. I had to go all out. That was the biggest routine I had been training for. I couldn't have done any more."

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