In his last competition before the Rio Olympic Games, at the Monaco Diamond League meeting, Tamberi was in career best form, clearing 2.39m and attempting to join Barshim as a 2.40m-plus jumper going into the Games.
He recalled that when he started his comeback in 2017, it went badly.
“The day after, Mutaz started knocking on my room and he wouldn’t go away,” Tamberi explained in an interview with Spikes magazine.
But now you need to take your time, don’t expect too much too early from yourself.
We just look at each other and we know, that is it, it is done.
“We have been through a lot, the same injury, and we know how much it takes, physically and mentally, just to get back here.