Jakob Ingebrigtsen sidelined after Achilles surgery
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Reading Time: 3min | Sun. 08.02.26. | 12:09
Ingebrigtsen has been battling Achilles issues for more than a year.
Norway’s middle- and long-distance running ambitions have been dealt a setback after Olympic champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen revealed he has undergone Achilles surgery in the United States, confirming speculation about his fitness in recent weeks.
The 25-year-old Olympic 5000 m champion disclosed on Friday, 6 February, that he had gone under the knife earlier this week, validating online theories from fans who had noticed changes to his training routine.
Observers had pointed to a shortened altitude training camp in January, reduced activity on his social media channels, and workouts carried out largely on an elliptical machine as signs of a possible problem.
Ingebrigtsen has been battling Achilles issues for more than a year. The injury troubled him last summer and contributed to a difficult campaign that saw him miss out on the world 1500m final in Tokyo before finishing 10th in the 5000m final, four seconds behind winner Cole Hocker of the United States.
While the early phase of his winter preparations appeared to progress well, the runner said his left Achilles flared up again in January, prompting the decision to seek surgical intervention.
“Those of you who have followed over the past couple of years will know I’ve been struggling with my Achilles, a persistent and very specific injury that forced me to miss a lot of training and racing.
Around two weeks ago, the Achilles flared up again, and we finally took the decision to travel to America for surgery. This is, of course, not something to be taken lightly, but absolutely the right thing for the longevity of my career,” Ingebrigtsen wrote on Instagram.
He reported that the procedure went smoothly and expressed optimism about the road ahead.
“The surgery went very smoothly, and I’m relieved to have a clear path of recovery back to the start line after many months of uncertainty. I’ll be back!” the message read.
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Speaking further on YouTube, the double Olympic champion described the operation as “100 percent necessary” for his long-term health.
He clarified that the issue lay not primarily with the Achilles tendon itself but with the surrounding sheath and scar tissue, which has now been removed.
“The scar tissue has now been removed. The surgery itself was not that big, so the recovery time is thought to be relatively short. Hopefully, I won’t be out for very long, and it’s not as bad as it seems,” he clarified.
Despite his optimism, images posted on social media showed him wearing a protective boot and using a wheelchair, underscoring the seriousness of the rehabilitation process. Recovery timelines following Achilles surgery typically range from nine months to a year, making a competitive return in 2026 unlikely.
Instead, the move signals a longer-term focus on the 2027 World Championships in Beijing and the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, targets more aligned with safeguarding the longevity of his decorated career.
Ingebrigtsen remains one of track and field’s most accomplished runners. He claimed Olympic gold in the 1500m in 2021 and the 5000m in 2024, alongside world 5000m titles in 2022 and 2023. His résumé also includes multiple European championships, world indoor crowns, and several world records.
Before his latest setback, he had been eyeing an assault on Hicham El Guerrouj’s long-standing world records in the 1500m and mile, ambitions that will now be postponed as he focuses on recovery.
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