Olympic champion rushed to hospital vomiting blood just before devastating finals performance
Gianmarco Tamberi had hoped to defend his Olympic title but was plagued by health issues
An Olympic gold medallist was rushed to hospital after throwing up blood - but still managed to compete in the men's high jump finals.
Gianmarco Tamberi won gold back in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and hoped to be able to go home with another gold in the Paris Olympics.
However, the Italian athlete was really put through the ringer ahead of his moment to defend his gold medal.
Earlier this week, Tamberi was hospitalized with suspected kidney stones, threatening his place in the Paris Games.
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Before he had arrived in Paris it looked like Tamberi’s Olympic journey would be cut before it even began.
Speaking on Instagram, he told his followers at just how bad his health was and all that he was battling.
"Unbelievable... this can't be true. Yesterday, two hours after writing 'I deserve it' on social media, I noticed a stabbing pain in my side," Tamberi wrote.
"Emergency room, CT scan, ultrasound, blood work. Probable kidney stone.
"And now I find myself, three days after the race for which I sacrificed everything, lying in a bed, helpless, with 38.8 fever.
"I was supposed to be leaving for Paris today to begin my journey toward this big dream, and instead I’ve been advised to postpone the flight until tomorrow in the hopes that with some rest this nightmare will be over.
“All I can do is wait and pray.”
After putting off his travel plans as much as possible, Tamberi managed to get himself to Paris after improving ever so slightly.
However, when he was in the French capital, he again ended up being rushed to hospital. Paramedics evaluated the athlete, who was suffering with acute renal colic and coughing up blood.
Writing on Instagram, he said: “It's been 10 hours and the renal colic still hasn't gone away.
“Even what was my last certainty (of competing) is about to vanish. I was just taken to the emergency room by ambulance after vomiting blood twice. I'll update you all.
"I dreamed for this day except living a nightmare like this."
By some miracle, on August 10, Tamberi was able to compete, despite previously saying it was 'all over' and seemingly confirming he would withdraw.
He even managed to clear the 2.22m jump to heartfelt cheers from the crowd.
Sadly, his poor health meant he was knocked out of medal contention after the second jump at 2.27m.
Understandably, he was reduced to tears, upset about his performance but on social media, the Italian was able to win over the hearts of many by competing despite the many issues he was dealing with.
Gerrard Kaonga