Olympic champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen set to face father in court over abuse claims

Olympic star Jakob Ingebrigtsen will testify against his father Gjert in a high-profile abuse trial shaking Norwegian athletics.

Rarely does an Olympic champion swap the arena of glory for the solemnity of a courtroom — but this week in Norway, Jakob Ingebrigtsen will do just that.

The reigning Olympic and world indoor middle-distance king is preparing to testify in a landmark trial against his father and former coach, Gjert Ingebrigtsen, who faces serious allegations of abuse within the family.

Fresh from a dominant double gold performance in the 1,500m and 3,000m at the World Indoor Championships in Nanjing, Jakob returns to his hometown of Sandnes — not to celebrate, but to testify for a day and a half in the Sor-Rogaland District Court.

His father, Gjert, is charged with physical and emotional abuse against him over a decade, from 2008 to 2018, as well as a separate incident involving Jakob’s youngest sister, Ingrid.

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A trial like no other

The trial, set to unfold over several weeks, is expected to be one of the most high-profile and complex in Norway’s modern sporting history. All seven Ingebrigtsen siblings will testify, and more than 30 witnesses are slated to appear.

Gjert, 59, has denied all allegations. While some charges have already been dropped — due to insufficient evidence or expired statutes of limitation — the charge involving Jakob carries a maximum six-year prison sentence and the possibility of a restraining order.

In an October 2023 statement made through their lawyer, Jakob, Henrik and Filip Ingebrigtsen said as quoted by Athletic: “We still feel the discomfort and fear that is in us from childhood. Somehow we have accepted this. We are drained of energy, and the joy of doing sports is gone.”

A family in the spotlight

The Ingebrigtsens are more than a running dynasty — they are a cultural phenomenon in Norway, thanks in part to their hit docuseries Team Ingebrigtsen.

The show aired for five seasons between 2016 and 2021, giving fans unprecedented access to their training, family life, and Olympic dreams. Some of that very footage will now be used as evidence in court.

Jakob, now 24, has become the standout of the siblings, capturing multiple Olympic and world titles. But the pressure of life in the public eye, combined with a complex and reportedly strained relationship with his father, has come at a cost.

Since their split in early 2022, Jakob has raced without a personal coach and struggled to win gold in global outdoor championships — finishing with three consecutive silvers in the 1,500m.

A legacy on trial

Gjert was once hailed as a revolutionary coach, blending data-driven training methods with a strict household regimen. But that regime, say his sons, came at a personal cost.

“He used physical violence and threats as part of his upbringing,” the brothers stated.

“The pressure we have felt has been inhuman at times.”

Gjert, for his part, has admitted to being “too much of a coach,” but denies ever using violence.

In previous interviews, he has described his parenting style as contractual: expectations were set, and consequences followed if they were not met.

The courtroom will be open to the public, except during Ingrid’s testimony, and a verdict is expected by early June.

By then, Jakob may already be back on the track preparing for the World Championships in Tokyo.

But in the weeks ahead, the world will watch him not for his speed, but for his strength of character — not just as an athlete, but as a son.