Nadia and Gimbo triumph at the European Championships in Birmingham and the Tokyo Olympic champion dedicates the success to his daughter who turned one: “If I jump again after Paris it’s only for her”
A confirmation and a great return: Nadia Batocletti and Gianmarco Tamberi they give Italy two more gold medals, bring the Azzurri to the top of the medal table and will long remember this eve of August on the track in Birmingham with the European Athletics Championships which speak more and more Italian because they also arrive the bronzes of Desalu and Sioli. Nadia Batocletti becomes the first Italian to win 4 European outdoor golds, she also makes history for being the first ever to achieve the “double double” 5,000-10,000 in two consecutive editions of the European Championships. She dedicated herself to the track in the summer of 2024 during the Paris Olympics: first the 4th place in the 5,000 in 14’35”29, then the silver medal in the 10,000 in 30’43”35. Since then she hasn’t stopped: in her career she has also won 3 medals at the World Championships (silver and bronze in the middle distance last summer in Tokyo, gold in March in the 3,000 meter indoor sprint), 12 at the European cross country championships and 2 at the European road championships. He achieved his best times in 2025, both Italian records: 14’23”15 in the 5,000 meters and 30’38”23 in the 10,000.
Nadia’s happiness
“Today I had a lot of fun – Nadia’s words – In the last month I have worked really well, thanks to all my staff and my family”. It is precisely to her father Giuliano, her coach, that the thirty-year-old gives the crown dedicated to the winner. “I’m at this level also thanks to my dad, who is the person who created my staff – he explains – We really understand each other with him with just one look.” Then about the match he says: “My opponents set up a good final, very tactical, and this exalted me. I wanted to attack a couple of times, but I was always anticipated. So I said: well, go ahead… Sometimes I don’t even realize my level, sometimes I tell myself that I should believe in it even more. The 10,000 meters at the Tokyo World Championships last year taught me a lot: it is a long race also for those who run it, not just for those who watch it. We must remain patient and not get agitated.”
Gimbo’s return
Even greater is the feat of Gimbo Tamberi. The Olympic champion from Tokyo didn’t seem to be in great condition, he had only played two races this year before the European Championships, never over 2.23 metres, but in the most important moment he showed the champion’s pride and he won the gold medal in the high jump in Birmingham by flying 2.32 at the second attempt ahead of the Ukrainian Oleh Doroshchuk (season record holder) and another Italian, Matteo Sioli, who withdraws at 2.30 due to a physical problem. This triumph, 10 years after the first in Amsterdam 2016, is probably the most beautiful, painful and unexpected of his career.
Dedicated to Camilla who turns one
“It was a special evening, Camilla’s first birthday. She was the reason I kept jumping after the Paris Olympics – he says – He could no longer see his dad, as he already calls me, constantly getting ‘slapped’ left and right. The medal is dedicated to her and Chiara (his wife), the sensations I feel when I jump are enough for me. I have a beautiful family, I am the luckiest husband and father in the world.” Gimbo compliments Sioli, who achieved the first senior outdoor international podium of his career: “I have very strong rivals, some even at home. Matteo doesn’t need any handover because he does things that I could only imagine at his age, he is 21 years old and has already won two European medals (one indoor). It will be nice to compete again.” On his bib tonight the Olympic champion had an inscription: “Guess who’s back”. Many thought I was finished. But I knew that tonight I would do something beautiful. The races this year were bad, but it’s as if my body was just waiting for this moment.” Finally, a message that can be an inspiration to many: “I want to say something to those who are experiencing difficulties. Always continue, move forward, because in the end those who believe win. Never fucking give up! Can you say fuck? When you win the gold you can say that (laughs)”.
