Mutaz Barshim and the Olympic moment that inspired the World OR

Doha: Two first-place finishes. Two Olympic champions. It remains one of the most memorable moments in modern Olympic history.

At the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, Qatari high jumper Mutaz Barshim and Italy’s Gianmarco Tamberi both cleared 2.37 metres. After an extraordinary competition, neither athlete could be separated. When officials asked whether they wished to proceed with a jump-off to decide a sole winner, Barshim responded with a question that would soon echo around the world.

“Can we have two golds?”

The answer was yes. History was made.

Within seconds, Barshim and Tamberi embraced in celebration as they became joint Olympic champions. Tears flowed freely as the two friends shared one of sport’s highest honours, standing together on the podium with gold medals around their necks.

It was a moment that transcended athletics. In a sporting landscape often defined by fierce rivalry, Barshim showed that achievement and sportsmanship can exist side by side.

As the world celebrated Olympic Day on 23 June, Barshim was featured in Evolution Nation, a Qatar Creates series spotlighting individuals whose achievements and ideas continue to shape Qatar’s journey as a cultural, creative and sporting nation.

Widely regarded as one of the greatest high jumpers of all time with four Olympic medals to date, Barshim’s legacy extends far beyond medals, records and championships. His influence can be seen in the growing culture of sport across Qatar and in the generations of young people inspired by his success.

Speaking about that influence, Barshim said: "Inside every person, there is creativity. We try to tap into that passion and creativity and develop that passion and creativity, and use it to benefit future generations.”

“For me as a professional athlete honestly, I see that this has the biggest impact on children and future generations. The mindset they have, of course, and the culture of sports, honestly which has grown and keeps expanding. More families come with their children and talk about me and they even know exactly what I do, down to every detail.”

“This culture has spread, and honestly, I am very happy about that."

For Barshim, sport is not simply about competition. It is a platform for uniting people together, exchanging ideas and building connections that extend beyond borders.

His outlook aligns with Qatar’s wider cultural ambitions, where sport, art and heritage increasingly come together to create shared experiences for local communities and international audiences alike.

"I believe culture and art must play a role in spreading our customs and traditions today and introducing the world to these customs and traditions that we are proud of," he said.

That connection between sport and culture is evident in his admiration for some of Qatar’s most recognisable cultural landmarks. "If we talk about National Museum of Qatar, honestly, the shape of the museum, the Desert Rose, is truly iconic, and its design is very eye catching. You never get tired of it, no matter how much you look at it, even in photos, you never get tired of it."

While his achievements have earned him international acclaim, Barshim remains focused on encouraging others to discover the value of sport for themselves. "I hope everyone regardless of the level they are at takes part today in a sporting experience and participates in a championship, regardless of the sport, whether it is athletics, running, cycling, swimming, and so on.”

“You showcase the cultures within them, ideas that we can interact with and people we can even get to know. I think this is a very unique experience and this is the experience I choose."

It is a philosophy that echoes the defining moment of his Olympic career. Long after the medals were awarded in Tokyo, the image of two champions sharing victory continues to resonate with people around the world.

Barshim’s story shows that greatness is measured not only by records broken or titles won, but also by the values that endure long after the competition has ended.

The Evolution Nation campaign forms part of Qatar Creates, the year-round cultural movement by Qatar Museums that is shaping how people engage with art, design, food, fashion, film and sport in Qatar and beyond. As the national movement positioning Qatar as a global hub for art, culture and creativity, Qatar Creates brings together programmes, initiatives and stories that showcase the country’s dynamic creative landscape to audiences at home and around the world.

*This article forms part of Evolution Nation, an ongoing series celebrating the people helping shape Qatar’s cultural, creative and sporting future. Episodes are available through the Qatar Creates YouTube channel and across Qatar Museums’ digital platforms, sharing the stories behind Qatar’s continuing evolution and the individuals driving it forward.