The father and former coach of Olympic champion runner Jakob Ingebrigtsen, Gjert Ingebrigtsen, has been charged with abusing one of his other children. Jakob Ingebrigtsen, along with his brothers Henrik and Filip, accused their father of physical violence and threats during their upbringing. Gjert Ingebrigtsen, previously named Norwegian sports coach of the year in 2018, has been coaching another Norwegian runner since his sons broke ties with him. The father has been charged with physically and mentally abusing one of his younger children, with allegations including threats, coercion, and hitting the child with a wet towel. This has escalated an ongoing conflict within one of Norway’s most prominent sporting families.
Police launched an investigation into Gjert Ingebrigtsen after the accusations made by his sons, and he has now been charged with abuse of one of his children. The charges do not relate to Jakob Ingebrigtsen or his older brothers Henrik and Filip, who are all prominent runners. The identity of the child mentioned in the charges has not been disclosed. Cases involving five other alleged victims were dismissed based on evidence and a statute of limitations. Gjert Ingebrigtsen has denied the allegations, with his lawyer stating that he disagrees with the presentation of events and does not admit criminal guilt.
Gjert Ingebrigtsen was named the Norwegian sports coach of the year in 2018 when his sons Jakob, Henrik, and Filip all won medals at major events. The family had a TV documentary series called “Team Ingebrigtsen” aired by public broadcaster NRK leading up to the Tokyo Olympics. However, in October 2021, the three brothers published an op-ed detailing their father’s aggressive and controlling behavior, leading to them cutting ties with him. Since then, Gjert Ingebrigtsen has started coaching another Norwegian runner, Narve Gilje Nordås.
Despite the success of the Ingebrigtsen family in athletics, Gjert Ingebrigtsen’s coaching future has been impacted by the abuse allegations. The head of the organization overseeing Olympic sports in Norway has stated that Ingebrigtsen will not be allowed to be part of the Norwegian staff at the Paris Games or receive accreditation for the 2023 world championships in Budapest. This decision comes after Jakob Ingebrigtsen’s success at the Tokyo Olympics and his father’s ongoing coaching career. The family’s public airing of grievances has brought attention to the issue of abuse within the sports community and raised questions about coaching practices.
The allegations against Gjert Ingebrigtsen have caused a rift within the Ingebrigtsen family and the larger sports community. While Gjert Ingebrigtsen denies the charges and has continued coaching another athlete, his sons have distanced themselves from him following years of alleged abuse. The decision to cut ties with their father and speak out about their experiences has prompted a wider conversation about the treatment of athletes and the responsibilities of coaches. The Ingebrigtsen family’s story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of abuse in sports and the importance of holding those in positions of power accountable for their actions.
The Ingebrigtsen family’s legal battle and personal struggle have put a spotlight on the impact of abuse within the sporting world. Gjert Ingebrigtsen’s coaching career has been affected by the allegations, with him being barred from participating in major sporting events. The family’s decision to speak out about their father’s behavior has highlighted the need for proper safeguards and accountability measures to protect athletes from abuse. Moving forward, the focus will be on healing and rebuilding relationships within the Ingebrigtsen family, while the sports community grapples with how to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
