“It’s all about spending your energy wisely and making good decisions.” At the Paris Olympics 2024, the maestro of middle and long-distance running, Jakob Ingebrigtsen from Norway, captured the golden glory in the 5000-meter event. With a masterful stride that carved through the air, Ingebrigtsen wove through the track’s 12 and a half laps, crossing the finish line in a breathtaking 13:66 seconds. His performance, a symphony of speed and grace, eclipsed the silver medallist Ronald Kwemoi of Kenya by a slender 1.38 seconds, etching his name into the annals of Olympic 2024.

Ingebrigtsen is now focused on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. In an Instagram post after winning the medal, the 23-year-old not only revealed his plans to start training for the next big games but also thanked everyone who has been a part of his massive win. “Leaving Paris empty-handed was never an option. To all you runners out there: This one is for you. To my wife, my team, my partners, and the Norwegian Olympics team: This could never have happened without you. Tonight, we celebrate! What a day for Norway in the Olympics! Congratulations to Solfrid Koanda, Grace Bullen, Karsten Warholm (yesterday), Mol & Sørum, and the Norwegian handball team for making this a historic day for Norway!” he wrote.

While Jakob Ingebrigtsen basked in the glory of his 5000-meter triumph, his inner journey told a more tumultuous tale. Just days before his golden moment, he had faced a humbling fourth-place finish in the 1500-meter race, where his rivals—one of whom was the tenacious Josh Kerr—emerged victorious. The history between Ingebrigtsen and Kerr stretches back to their fierce battles at the World Championships. From Ingebrigtsen playing to the crowd to Kerr’s decisive victory over him in that 1500-meter duel, their competitive saga has unfurled like a dramatic epic before the eyes of the world.

Ingebrigtsen’s setback in the 1500-meter race cast a shadow over his triumphant moment in the 5000 meters, leaving him steeped in frustration. The sting of defeat lingered like a heavy fog, dulling the brilliance of his victory. Despite the golden glory that adorned him, his heart was still ensnared by the echoes of disappointment. Why so you ask?

Why is Jakob Ingebrigtsen frustrated even after winning the gold medal?

The Norwegian was heralded as the chosen one for one of the Paris 2024’s most eagerly awaited races, yet fate conspired against him, denying him a medal. “I think one of the biggest confusions is that it’s something you put behind you,” Ingebrigtsen explained when asked how he put the 1500m defeat behind him. “I still remember many of my losses in my junior career or even when I was very young and also in my World Championships in Doha.”

Jakob Ingebrigtsen revealed that the loss of this race will haunt him for the rest of his life. “These are things that will haunt me for the rest of my life. It’s why it’s important to perform as we have that memory of losing and not accomplishing what we want. I think it’s something that motivates us to put in work and do what’s needed to perform.” 

Winning a gold medal at the Olympics is a thrilling achievement, but it can also bring its own kind of heartbreak. Jakob Ingebrigtsen experienced this first-hand. While the thrill of victory is undeniable, there’s a special kind of sting when you’re so close to another medal but fall just short. It’s a reminder that even at the pinnacle of success, the journey is full of mixed emotions—joy tinged with the pain of coming so close, yet just out of reach.