Barshim ready for Florence challenge

Reigning world champion Mutaz Essa Barshim is ready to compete against a strong field in the high jump event of the third Diamond League meeting, which takes place in Florence, Italy today.

It will be the second appearance for Qatar’s gravity-defying athlete this Diamond League season, after he clinched second position at the home meet in Doha last month, in build up for this summer’s Olympic Games. 

Today’s meeting will see the three-time Diamond League champion competing against the likes of local hero Gianmarco Tamberi, current title holder Andriy Protsenko and Ilya Ivanyuk, who won the Doha meet at Qatar Sports Club Stadium. 

“I’m really happy to be back in Italy. I always want to jump where a strong field is present,” Barshim, who broke the meeting record in Rome with a jump of 2.41m in 2014, told a virtual news conference yesterday. 

“I am all the way here to compete and I am trying to do my best. If you have a strong field then it’s definitely going to give you a mindset to perform much better. Of course, there is pressure but I love the pressure that makes you perform well. I always want to perform under pressure and I think it only makes me feel better,” said Barshim.  

Eyeing his fourth title, the two-time Olympic medallist rated Diamond League as one of his favourite competitions.   

“To me Diamond League is very important and to compete for Olympics it is a perfect competition,” said Barshim.  

“Track and field is my passion, I always used to watch the sport as I grew up in track and field family. My father used to do track and field so I used to watch him on TV. Before Diamond League, it used to be Golden League and I used to go to the stadium in Doha when I was young and see the athletes competing. 

“I really, really wanted to compete with them and today I am here. I have three Diamond League trophies and I am really looking forward to another one. I have a good place in my house for another one,” he added. 

Meanwhile, Tamberi was raring to perform in front of home fans.   

“I can’t wait - underlines Tamberi - because we are in Italy and finally we will be able to have some spectators in the stands. The presence of the public is very important,” the Italian high jumper said.  

“Florence is an important challenge for me. I am doing everything to get back in the best possible shape for the Tokyo Olympics,” Tamberi added. 

Sifan Hassan, Dina Asher-Smith and Joshua Cheptegei are among the other stars, who will be seen in action in today’s meeting.