Italian world champion high jumper Gianmarco Tamberi paid a lightning visit to Wurstburg, calling on Knight Helmut for little more than a handshake.
First of all, Knight Helmut congratulated his guest on his achievement at the athletics complex in Budapest, before the conversation quickly turned to professional matters. Tamberi wanted to know how long, in the knight’s opinion, he should keep jumping quite so high, and whether there comes a point when a man ought to realise that he really has no business being up there in the first place.
After a brief moment of thought, Knight Helmut replied:
“Keep jumping as long as you keep coming back down.”
The world champion described this as advice worth considering, and the two men shook hands.
Tamberi then departed Wurstburg. According to the castle guard, he used the gate as intended and did not jump over it.
WSI – Wurstburg Press Office
Our special correspondent did not report from the scene this time. By the time he arrived, Tamberi had already jumped off.