He deserves a gold medal in pranking.
An Italian high jumper set a new record Tuesday — then faked an injury before the crowd and pulled a spring from his shoe as a joke.
Olympic champion Gianmarco Tamberi, 32, cleared the 2.37 meter jump Tuesday in the highest leap ever completed at the European athletics championships.
After he landed, he began to limp, toppled over and took off his shoe — causing a concern among fans, according to footage posted on reddit.com
He then pulled a small spring out of his shoe, smiled and hopped to his feet, revealing the elaborate prank, which came weeks before he is set to compete at this summer’s Paris Olympics.
“I knew I was in a superb shape and I proved it,” Tamberi said. “I pretended to be injured and hid springs in my shoes. I think some people fell for it. I did great things. Now it’s time for the Olympics.”
Along with becoming an Olympic champion, Tamberi’s record also includes a European outdoor championship and a World outdoor championship.
Known for his quirky half-shaved beard, he also won the 2021 elite Diamond League field athletic competition, becoming the first ever Italian to take home the honor.
— With wires
