Jakob Ingebrigtsen makes serious allegations. © APA/afp / FABRICE COFFRINI

Athletics star accuses father and coach of violence

Norwegian world-class runner Jakob Ingebrigtsen accuses his father and former coach Gjert Ingebrigtsen of being violent towards him.

March 25, 2025

From: dpa

The 24-year-old Olympic champion made this statement before the Sør-Rogaland District Court, according to the NTB news agency. Gjert Ingebrigtsen (59) is accused of psychological and physical abuse of two of his seven children. Gjert Ingebrigtsen denies the allegations.

According to NTB, Jakob Ingebrigtsen recounted an incident in the courtroom in Sandnes, Norway, that occurred when he was in elementary school. He claimed that his father kicked him in the stomach after he fell while riding his scooter. Another time, Gjert Ingebrigtsen hit him several times on the head. Overall, he felt controlled and manipulated by his father, Jakob Ingebrigtsen said, according to the agency. In the coming days, Jakob's younger sister (18) is also expected to testify against her father. The trial is scheduled to last until mid-May.

Father trained three sons

Until a few years ago, Gjert Ingebrigtsen trained his sons Jakob, Filip (31), and Henrik (34), all successful middle-distance runners. The youngest of the three running stars, Jakob Ingebrigtsen, won the gold medal in the 2021 m at the 1.500 Tokyo Olympic Games, took gold in the 2024 m in Paris in 5.000, and is also a two-time world champion in this distance. Just last weekend, he secured the 1.500 and 3.000 m titles at the World Indoor Championships in China.

Jakob Ingebrigtsen in court. © ANSA / Lise Aserud

He and his brothers are among Norway's most well-known athletes. In 2022, the trio of runners parted ways with their father as coach. Gjert Ingebrigtsen currently coaches middle-distance runner Narve Gilje Nordås.