'I’m really, really sorry' - Italian flag bearer Gianmarco Tamberi loses wedding ring in seine river

Gianmarco Tamberi, the charismatic high jumper known for his dramatic flair, has once again found himself at the centre of an emotional encounter. This time, it wasn't on the field but during the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics, where he lost his wedding ring in the Seine River.

Tamberi, who shared flag-bearing duties for Italy with fencer Arianna Errigo, experienced a mix of emotions as he recounted the mishap on Instagram. In a heartfelt letter addressed to his wife, Chiara Bontempi, he expressed his deep regret.

"I’m sorry my love, I’m sorry,” he wrote. Tamberi attributed the loss to a combination of excessive water, significant weight loss over recent months, and the overwhelming excitement of the event.

Here is the post:

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The incident occurred as Italy's athletes paraded down the Seine on a boat, a unique twist to the traditional stadium procession. Tamberi felt the ring slipping off his finger and watched in dismay as it bounced inside the boat before ultimately falling into the river. Despite the unfortunate event, he found a silver lining, remarking that if he had to lose the ring, there was no more fitting place than the Seine, in the heart of the "City of Love."

Special flight for Tamberi!

The journey to Paris was also noteworthy for Tamberi, who described flying to the city on the presidential plane with Italian President Sergio Mattarella as "the most emotional flight of my life." This poignant statement cleverly referenced his high-flying career in athletics.

As Tamberi prepares for the men’s high jump competition starting on August 7, he remains a strong contender for another gold medal at the Olympics. On a hopeful note, he suggested that losing the ring might be an omen for even greater success. “Hopefully this is a sign that I’ll come home with an even bigger gold medal,” he mused.