The Ingebrigtsen brothers’ father and former coach denies the allegations
Geert Ingebrigtsen will stand trial in Norway next year on charges of physical abuse against his two children, including Jacob, an Olympic 5,000m champion.
According to the indictment, the 58-year-old man allegedly hit Jacob and threatened to “beat him to death”.
Gert, who stopped coaching Jacob and his brothers in 2022, denied the allegations. His attorneys, John Christian Elden and Heidi Reiswang, said in a statement. “Gert Ingebrigtsen maintains what he has said all along, that he pleads not guilty to the crimes he has been charged with and that he has never subjected himself to anyone. to subject children to either physical or mental abuse”.
According to the Norwegian newspaper VG, Jakob gave a statement to the authorities, claiming that he was the victim of mental and physical abuse, including “punching and kicking”.
The trial is expected to last several months, with up to 30-40 witnesses being called.
Jacob, Philip and Henrik Ingebrigtsen (Getty)
VG reports. “During the interrogation, Jakob Ingebrigtsen explained about the physical and mental violence against both him and his brothers and sisters. He explained that he received several blows on the head from his father, Gert.
“In one situation, the abuse lasted 15 to 30 minutes,” the running star explained to police. Another episode involved kicking. The situations that Jakob Ingebrigtsen explained during the interrogation span several years.
“Several other family members have given explanations that corroborate what Jakob Ingebrigtsen said during the interrogation. . . . Central to some of the explanations is how threats and psychological abuse must have shaped (him) growing up.”
In an interview with VG last year, Jakob and his older brothers, Philip and Henrik, said: “We grew up with a father who was very aggressive and controlling and who used physical violence and threats as part of his upbringing.”
All three brothers have won European titles in athletics, with Jakob winning the Olympic 1500m title in 2021 and the 5000m crown in 2024, plus world 5000m gold medals and world records in the two-mile 3000m.
(Prime)
The family has been featured in a popular documentary series in Norway in recent years, starring Gert as the domineering father and coach, but the latest package, which aired on Prime later this summer, did not feature him.
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