Jakob Ingebrigtsen’s father to stand trial for allegedly threatening his sons

Gjert Ingebrigtsen, the father and former coach of double Olympic champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen, will stand trial next year on charges of abusing his children, including threatening to “beat Jakob to death.”

Jakob, who claimed gold in the 1500m at the Tokyo Olympics and the 5000m at the Paris Olympics, has alleged that his father subjected him to physical and verbal abuse over a decade, beginning when he was a schoolboy.

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According to the Norwegian newspaper VG, Gjert is accused of beating Jakob and another child while serving as their coach.

The indictment reportedly details incidents in which Gjert called Jakob derogatory names such as “thug” and “terrorist” and threatened to “shame him and knock him out of health.”

Additionally, Jakob told investigators that his father repeatedly hit him in the head and kicked him, with one instance of abuse lasting between 15 and 30 minutes.

The allegations have been corroborated by other family members, who provided statements supporting Jakob’s accounts.

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In a joint letter to the Norwegian athletics federation, Jakob and his brothers Henrik and Filip—also elite middle-distance runners described growing up with a father who was “very aggressive and controlling” and used “physical violence and threats as part of his upbringing.”

The brothers also requested the federation’s assistance in avoiding their father at international events, as Gjert now coaches 2023 World Championships 1500m bronze medalist Narve Gilje Nordås.

Assistant attorney Mette Yvonne Larsen characterized the indictment as “a very serious” case involving alleged abuse over many years. The trial, which is expected to last about eight weeks, will feature testimony from 30 to 40 witnesses.

Gjert’s lawyers, John Christian Elden and Heidi Reisvang claim the prosecution’s decision was “rushed” and that the charges are baseless.

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In earlier statements, Gjert admitted to shortcomings as a father but denied using violence. “That I have weaknesses as a father, and have been too much of a coach, is a realization I have also come to, albeit far too late,” he said last year.

The Ingebrigtsens, once celebrated as a united and successful family, became household names in Norway through their popular reality television show, Team Ingebrigtsen.

However, Gjert stepped down as their coach in 2022, citing medical reasons. Since then, the family’s internal conflicts have come to light, casting a shadow over their athletic achievements.