Jakob Ingebrigtsen’s Deadly Risk Before Paris Olympics Has Track & Field Community Concerned: “It’s Not Even the Olympics”

The reigning Olympic champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen has repeatedly mentioned “the hard way” he prefers to win his races. Riding on that, Last week, in the Prefontaine Classic Bowerman Mile, he continued to keep his momentum to the last lap. But a thoroughly chasing Josh Kerr crossed Jakob Ingebrigtsen to become the champion.

The Norwegian sprinter did not look startled after losing the crown. Rather, he has expressed his satisfaction with ending the race on a high note, after his return from the Achilles injury. At the Oslo Diamond League, he had the pressure to prove his invincibility. That made Jakob Ingebrigtsen try an unexpected move. 

Today in the Bislett Olympic Stadium, Jakob Ingebrigtsen hauled the world-leading position in the 1500-meter event. His timing of 3:29.74 minutes gave him an edge over the nearer opponent, Timothy Cheruiyot, by 0:0.3 minutes. But in the finishing line, Jakob tried a jump to remain ahead of Cheruiyot. The visibly surprised opponent could do nothing except watch the move. However, the track and field community couldn’t keep mum as several came down, raising questions about how appropriate the move was. 

After competing in the “mile of the century” at Hayward Field last week, Jakob Ingebrigtsen shifted to the Oslo Diamond League with a fresh test. Furthermore, it was Jakob Ingebrigtsen’s home ground. So a victory could be the only fitting gift that the 2-time world champion could provide. But Cheruiyot’s controlled pace made a question mark to Jakob’s plan. Even in the last half, Ingebrigtsen had to thwart the former world champion’s fiery run with his experience on the track. The dive may have come up as a part of that plan. However, the track and field communities have yet to call it justified. 

Jakob Ingebrigtsen repeats the ‘hard way’ to remain in the game

Remaining a speaker of his mind, Jakob Ingebrigtsen has spelled several memorable lines on his usual mindset in the track and field. One of those says, “If I’m not trying to win, then I’ll read a book.” On Thursday, the 23-year-old wasn’t trying to read a book. But was he keeping everything at stake to win the contest… especially when his health recently came over from an injury? 

A fan had the same question: “How do you potentially injure yourself like this when it’s not even the Olympics?!” The same tone echoed in the statement, “Not the type of fall I’m expecting from Ingebrigtsen”. Notably, the Norwegian sprinter had missed the entire indoor season this year because of his Achilles tendon injury.

Notably, after that he had declared, “I suffered a bit with my Achilles tendon, so I’m training differently. I’m now on my way back, but I don’t want to take any risks.” But in reality, he ended up taking a huge risk with his move at the Oslo Diamond League.

Looking at that, several fans pointed out Jakob Ingebrigtsen’s desperation to make his status clear, which is being the last word in the middle distance running. Supporting that, one such comment came, “You don’t want it bad enough if you not willing to eat it”. Moreover, the dive could be a ploy to gain the upper hand. One fan’s comment, “A well thought out and executed dive” backed that thinking. Yet, was it justified according to the rule book? 

Nobody has a straightforward answer. But one fan brought out a demand: “This should be made illegal”. But a result has already been declared and Jakob Ingebrigtsen is the champion of the race. Therefore, a few fans want to move forward celebrating the achievement. Jonathan Gault, the track and field raconteur, added a comical touch by penning, “That track burn will hurt tomorrow but it will be worth it.” But at the same time, he congratulated ‘the Viking’ for the victory in the same statement. Jakob Ingebrigtsen will surely take it. Ultimately, it was the day he wanted to see after his return to the track this season.