Jakob Ingebrigtsen's possible return date after lengthy spell out with injury
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Reading Time: 3min | Tue. 14.04.26. | 16:37
The delayed start is a setback for one of athletics’ most dominant figures, especially after a stellar run in recent seasons.
Norwegian middle-distance star Jakob Ingebrigtsen will miss the early part of the 2026 track and field season, effectively ruling him out of the Oslo Diamond League for a second consecutive year as he continues recovery from Achilles tendon surgery.
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The 25-year-old has been sidelined following a winter procedure aimed at resolving a long-standing Achilles issue that has troubled him throughout his career.
According to his manager, Daniel Wessfeldt, Ingebrigtsen will not compete in any races during May or June, effectively ruling him out of the opening legs of the Diamond League season.
The campaign is set to begin on Saturday, 16 May, with the prestigious Bislett Games scheduled for Wednesday, 10 June. However, fans hoping to see the Olympic champion on home soil will once again be left disappointed.
“You need to be at a certain level when you compete. Therefore, there will be no races in May and June; that's quite clear. There will be nothing at the Bislett Games. I also don't know when he might be ready after that,” Wessfeldt told Norwegian outlet VG.
He emphasised that Ingebrigtsen’s return will depend entirely on how his training progresses in the coming weeks.
“It all depends on how his training develops through late April and into May. Things can move quickly, and he could get into shape, which would make competing in the second half of the season a possibility,” he added.
The delayed start is a setback for one of athletics’ most dominant figures, especially after a stellar run in recent seasons.
Despite battling Achilles problems in 2024, Ingebrigtsen delivered remarkable performances, including a world record in the 3000m (7:17.55), a European record in the 1500m (3:26.73), and Olympic gold in the 5000m at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
While his absence will be felt in the early meets, the focus remains firmly on a strong return later in the season.
Key targets include the European Athletics Championships 2026, scheduled for Monday, 10 to Sunday, 16 August, as well as the Diamond League meetings in Silesia and the final in Brussels. He is also expected to feature in the inaugural Ultimate Championship in Budapest in September.
There is cautious optimism within his camp that a mid-season return could still be possible, with his sponsor Nike potentially eyeing the Eugene Diamond League meet on Saturday, 4 July, as a comeback window.
“We have to hope and believe in the second part of the season. Competing in June is definitely too early. It’s not just about being healthy; he has to reach a certain level to race against the best. He can’t risk anything at the start of the season,” Wessfeldt explained.
Despite the uncertainty, confidence remains high in Ingebrigtsen’s ability to regain peak form once fully fit.
“The chances are very good when you see how easily Jakob gets into shape when he’s pain-free. The procedure went well, but it takes time to build up to the training volume required.
If everything goes according to plan, he can be very good in the second half of the season,” Wessfeldt said.
For now, race organisers will have to wait, with Wessfeldt confirming that multiple invitations for early-season appearances have already been declined.
“The most important thing now is that he gets fully fit and reaches the standard required to be on the starting line against the best,” he said.