The 2024 Paris Olympics were as thrilling as ever, especially for Jakob Ingebrigtsen. Why, you ask? The double world champion returned for another incredible stint on the world’s biggest stage. While fans expected the defending Olympic 1500m champion to bag another victory, he missed the podium by a whisker. On the other hand, he surprised the track and field world by scorching past the finish line to a maiden 5000m gold medal in 13:13.66 at Stade de France.

However, the 24-year-old has built a legacy of his own in a very short period. The Norwegian superstar holds world records for the indoor 1500m and 2000m and set the Olympic record for the 1500m race during the 2020 Tokyo Games. He continues to add more accolades to his ever-growing resume. Despite such a stellar growing career, the Olympian has hit a major roadblock in his personal life. What has he been going through?

Jakob Ingebrigtsen makes a shocking revelation against Gjert Ingebrigtsen

On November 29, a Norwegian online newspaper, Nettavisen, reported the 24-year-old’s testimony to authorities regarding mistreatment from his father and former coach Gjert Ingebrigtsen. According to the reports, the abuse reportedly lasted for a decade between 2008 and 2018. Citius Mag’s Chris Chavez shared details of Jakob Ingebrigtsen’s testimony on X. One of the harrowing testimonies described an incident from 2008 when the middle-distance runner was just 7 years old.

The Olympian had received a negative behavior report from school in January or February of that year. But what’s heartbreaking is the reaction his father had to the report. Gjert repeatedly hit the track athlete while simultaneously giving him open-handed smacks on either side of his head for a certain amount of time. As he continued to shout at the young boy, the middle-distance runner tried to shield himself from the attacks. However, his father would bring his hands down and continue to hit him.

Yet, this isn’t the only incident that continued to haunt Jakob Ingebrigtsen. While the abuse continued for years to come, there was one incident that particularly left him shell-shocked. In 2015/2016, while the father-son duo were on their way to pick up another sibling, he threatened the double World Champion that he would “shame him and beat him to death.” Given how gravely concerning each of these testimonies is, the Olympian’s assistant lawyer, Mette Yvonne Larsen, will represent him against his father, Gjert Ingebrigtsen. 

However, this isn’t the first time the 24-year-old has spoken up against Gjert. In October 2023, the Olympian and his siblings accused their father of physical violence and abusive behavior over four years to the Norwegian publication VG. The former coach had been charged on account of abusing one of his younger children. According to the accusations, he had beaten one of his seven children with a wet towel in January 2022. It reportedly went on for four years between 2018 and early 2022 and led to estrangement between the siblings and their father. So, what repercussions is the Norwegian Sports Coach of the Year for 2018 facing? 

The former coach will face trial in 2025

Jakob Ingebrigtsen has racked up an impressive resume with 2 Olympic gold medals, 2x World Championships silver medals, 4x Diamond League Finals wins, and more. So, it’s safe to say that he might have a penchant for excellence. In fact, he is currently ranked #2 on the world men’s overall list. Two of his older brothers, Henrik Ingebrigtsen and Filip Ingebrigtsen, are also middle-distance runners who compete internationally.

However, this doesn’t come easy. The Olympian had to go through intense schedules and be disciplined. He initially trained with his elder brothers as a young-gun. On the other hand, he also wanted to push himself and become the fastest runner. Even though they trained with their father, Gjert Ingebrigtsen, until 2022. That was until the child abuse allegations came to light. After being indicted for the psychological abuse of the middle-distance runner and another of his children, he will stand trial in 2025.

While the first charges from April this year involved a younger sibling, the indictment was recently expanded to include the 24-year-old’s experiences with abuse. Gjert Ingebrigtsen is facing seven counts of breaching Norway’s “Criminal Code section 282”, focusing on abuse in close relationships. What happens if he’s found guilty? Well, he could face up to 6 years in prison.

However, the former coach denies all allegations. Jakob Ingebrigtsen has not spoken about the case directly to the media, and it is unclear if he will testify in person. The siblings even asked for respect for privacy after their op-ed. But Henrik and Filip mentioned the alleged abuse in the Amazon Prime Documentary series recently. Additionally, the prosecutors are requesting 30 court days with one day a week off, meaning the trial could go up to eight weeks in Norway. How will this tale unfold?