The sight of the high‑jumpers Mutaz Barshim and Gianmarco Tamberi hugging each other after agreeing to share a gold medal will live long in the memory. What made it extra sweet was they were friends who had helped each other through career-threatening injuries. “When we both ended up at that 2.37, the referee came to explain to us and I just turned and asked him, ‘Can we have two golds?’” Barshim said. “And he’s like, ‘Yes.’ And he was trying to actually continue and explain at that moment. We didn’t really care. I looked in [Tamberi’s] eyes. He looked at my eyes. And we started celebrating.” They weren’t the only ones.
Watching Simone Biles walk away from the women’s all-around gymnastics after one vault. But her speaking so powerfully and eloquently about her mental health difficulties is a landmark moment for sport.
Star of the Games
Not sure there was one. But Sifan Hassan winning 5,000m and 10,000m gold plus 1500m bronze, in the space of a week, was pretty incredible.
Outside the arenas highlight
Eating a burrito in a Tokyo metro station after 14 days in quarantine.
One to watch for Paris 2024
Erriyon Knighton turned 17 in January but was fast enough to finish fourth in the 200m. If there is to be a new Usain Bolt it could be him.
What I’ll miss most about Tokyo 2020 is …
The sport, the late nights and early mornings and the waves of adrenaline that helped me power through. And the people. Just wish they could have seen the Games.
That I was there for: Yulimar Rojas of Venezuela breaking the triple‑jump world record with her final leap and spending the next half-hour celebrating. Yang Jian’s quadruple somersault dive to briefly wrest the platform gold‑medal spot from Cao Yuan. And Gianmarco Tamberi and Mutaz Barshim sharing the high‑jump gold. Watching from 100 yards away I thought Tamberi had snapped his achilles and was about to be airlifted to hospital. He was just happy.
Members of Team GB walk in the Heroes of the Games segment during Tokyo 2020’s closing ceremony
Team GB chiefs applaud joyous Tokyo 2020 and promise more to come
The modern pentathlon horse Saint Boy being slapped by a German coach leaning over a fence while his weeping rider frantically whipped his flanks. Not an elevating moment for the human race. Otherwise, quite a few athletes struggling with the strain of a horrible year and the glare of competition.
Star of the Games
Elaine Thompson-Herah.
Double gold in the sprints, effortless technique and power, plus fearless competitive spirit. Thompson‑Herah said she did not sleep a wink between the 100m and 200m, a rare glimpse of the stress endured beneath that warrior-like facade. Do not bet against a (sigh) three‑peat aged 32 in Paris.
Outside the arenas highlight
The warmth and stoicism of the people of Tokyo, rightly uneasy at the prospect of this contagion, but unfailingly courteous and welcoming. Also dutiful: particular respect to the volunteer at the Makuhari Messe Hall who sat for six hours holding a laminated sign reading “Please take your belongings”. Although, on reflection, maybe get a stick next time. And to the primary schoolchildren who left such lovely notes with their asagao flowers at the venues. My favourite encouraging message, from the equine arena: “Overcome any obstacle with a horse”.
