)
Josh Kerr has reignited his rivalry with Jakob Ingebrigtsen, critiquing his absence from Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam League.
World 1500m champion Josh Kerr did not hold back as he addressed arch-rival Jakob Ingebrigtsen’s decision to skip Michael Johnson’s highly anticipated Grand Slam League.
The much-anticipated track series, set to kick off later this year, promises to feature some of the sport’s finest athletes in a series of non-paced races—a format that Kerr believes Ingebrigtsen is consciously avoiding.
)
05:25 - 09.01.2025
'Money is nothing' - Ezekiel Kemboi on rejecting nationality switch & why Kenya should value athletes more
Ezekiel Kemboi has urged Kenya to better support its athletes, revealing why he turned down lucrative offers to switch nationalities.
Reflecting on the Norwegian’s absence from the league, Kerr did not mince words, suggesting that Ingebrigtsen’s recent performances in non-paced races might have played a role in his decision.
"I think that it is smart that he hasn't signed up," Kerr remarked in an interview with CitiusMag.
"In any non-paced race, he hasn't won in the last couple of years. So, you're gonna throw him in a bunch of non-paced races, it seems silly to do that, it's going to expose most of his tattoos. I just don't think so."
)
16:45 - 06.01.2025
'I can’t give all the details' - Noah Lyles opens up on the controversy after being accused of trying to force his way into the US relays Olympic team
Olympic champion Noah Lyles' dream to compete in four races at the Paris Games suffered a blow. Lyles could not make the US 4x4 relay team and was accused of trying to force his way into the team.
The British athlete, who has consistently outperformed Ingebrigtsen throughout the 2024 season, hinted at the mental and tactical challenges of competing in a league format without the pacing aids many elite runners rely on.
"I think he will come in and run the 3k and 5k. Would I go to 3k and 5k? Let’s see. I will probably go off at some point, maybe not this year. I have been given this option. It depends on who comes in and challenges me because I don’t want anyone to win my event, so I’ll stick to that. Yeah, I’d love for him to come and run the 800m and 1500m," he added.
Kerr’s comments come as the rivalry between the two middle-distance stars continues to intensify.
)
19:26 - 09.01.2025
‘You have to go out like a savage’– Justin Gatlin's advice to Sha’Carri Richardson on reclaiming fastest woman title in 2025
Gatlin has sent Sha'Carri Richardson a crucial word of advice with regards to her infamously bad start, which cost her the Olympic 100m title to Julien Alfred.
The pair clashed several times during the 2024 season, with Kerr consistently emerging victorious, including a memorable showdown at the Prefontaine Classic where he edged out Ingebrigtsen in the Bowerman Mile.
However, the rivalry extends beyond the track. Ingebrigtsen, a dominant force in middle-distance running, addressed the tension in his Amazon documentary series Ingebrigtsen: Born to Run.
The Norwegian accused Kerr of creating the rivalry through provocative comments made outside of competition.
"What’s funny is that he’s [Josh Kerr] never said anything to me," Ingebrigtsen revealed in the series.
"So, if you smile and say hello politely and then you go to your friend’s podcast and trash-talk, that’s really cowardly. The problem with the rivalry is that it’s not created by the media. It’s only created by that moron because he began trash-talking me. But he’s forgotten that he doesn’t stand for anything he says. That says a lot about someone."
)
15:41 - 06.01.2025
Emmanuel Wanyonyi: How Olympic 800m champion is planning to ruthlessly silence his rivals in 2025
Emmanuel Wanyonyi aims to continue his winning streak in 2025 while battling rivals Marco Arop and Djamel Sedjati.
While Kerr has enjoyed a stellar 2024 season, capped with multiple records and a silver medal at the Paris Olympics, his rivalry with Ingebrigtsen remains a focal point in the track and field world.
The Grand Slam League, with its unique non-paced format, represents a significant test for the world’s best runners. While fans may be disappointed by Ingebrigtsen’s absence, Kerr’s bold remarks ensure that the rivalry will remain a major storyline in the months to come.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)