A family divided: Will renowned runner Jakob Ingebrigtsen see his father behind bars?
Is Ingebrigtsen apparently incarcerating his father?
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Jakob Ingebrigtsen, a speedy middle and long-distance runner, is no longer racing against athletes worldwide, but against his father. The trial's verdict is imminent, and the Norwegian family is plunged in a deep rift.
Father against son and daughter, mother and other siblings as witnesses: No situation could be more agonizing for parents and children than the current ordeal faced by the Ingebrigtsen family of Norway. Gold medalist Jakob Ingebrigtsen (24) and his younger sister (19) accuse their father Gjert (59) of violent behavior toward them during their formative years.
Monday's verdict is pending. Could Gjert Ingebrigtsen be facing jail time? According to Norwegian law, he could serve several years in prison if found guilty: The prosecution has demanded 2.5 years, while the defense argues for acquittal.
The case has captivated Norway for weeks. The participants could hardly be more influential in Norwegian terms: The Ingebrigtsen family is one of the country's most famous, and Jakob Ingebrigtsen himself, struggling with injuries, is one of the most acclaimed athletes, having clinched Olympic gold in Tokyo (1500 meters) and Paris (5000 meters), multiple world championships, and world records.
The brothers' break with their father
A controversial opinion piece published in "Verdens Gang" in the fall of 2023 by the running prodigies Jakob, Filip, and Henrik caused a stir. In it, they spoke of a childhood plagued by physical violence and threats from their father and long-time coach.
Subsequent investigations resulted in an indictment against Gjert Ingebrigtsen for the abuse he allegedly inflicted on his daughter. By the end of 2024, this indictment was extended to include behavior toward Jakob Ingebrigtsen. The marathon trial took place this spring, with family member after family member taking the stand at the Sør-Rogaland District Court in Sandnes near Stavanger.
"Protecting children from family violence"
Jakob Ingebrigtsen stated in the proceedings that it was about sharing the story of siblings but also about a larger concern: safeguarding children from family violence.
"My siblings and I will carry on with our lives, regardless of the trial's outcome. Many children can't," the 24-year-old wrote in a subsequent contribution to "Verdens Gang" at the conclusion of the trial, which he also read out in court. "They live their lives in fear. Don't forget them when the cameras in the Sandnes courtroom are turned off." He ended his impassioned plea for increased attention to these children with the words: "Not all of them can escape their problems, like I did."
Gjert Ingebrigtsen proclaims innocence - his wife stands by him
The father of seven Gjert Ingebrigtsen has repeatedly denied the accusations before and during the trial. In court, he asserted that he had always aimed for the best for his children. "I have never been violent towards my children," he declared in 2023. He may not have been a perfect father and husband, but he was never violent.
Most of his children diverge from Gjert's perspective. Alongside Jakob and his younger sister, three other siblings testified to growing up with fear. Their mother Tone testified in court and distanced herself from the five children who condemned Gjert. According to a lawyer for her husband, she stated that, in a household with seven children, there were rules, but no violence, neither physical nor psychological. She chose to express herself only behind closed doors and away from the media.
Interestingly, Gjert Ingebrigtsen has not been coaching his children since 2022. Instead, he has been supporting, among others, middle-distance runner Narve Gilje Nordås for some time. He recently made a public appearance for the first time since then, at a competition of his protégé in Bergen. He spoke at length to Norwegian reporters about various subjects, but promptly and silently left the press corps when asked about the upcoming verdict on June 16.
Source: ntv.de, Steffen Trumpf, dpa
- Athletics
- Norway
The ongoing trial in Norway against Gjert Ingebrigtsen, the father of renowned athlete Jakob Ingebrigtsen, has split the Ingebrigtsen family. The family's Sør-Rogaland District Court trial involved siblings accusing their father of violent behavior during their formative years.
Jakob Ingebrigtsen, a gold medalist, has used his story as a platform to raise awareness about family violence, stating that many children cannot escape their problems like he did.
Interestingly, Gjert Ingebrigtsen, who has repeatedly denied the accusations, has not been coaching his children since 2022. However, he has been supporting other athletes in European leagues, such as middle-distance runner Narve Gilje Nordås.
The verdict, which is potentially life-changing for the family, is set for June 16. meanwhile, the Norwegian public awaits the outcome with bated breath, as the case has captivated the general-news landscape for weeks.
