A highly publicized courtroom case in Norway has shed light on the darker reality behind one of the country’s most famous sporting families. A courtroom in Sandnes heard testimony detailing accounts of violence, threats, and emotional manipulation within a family that had previously been admired for its athletic success.
For four hours, Jakob, a double Olympic champion, described physical abuse he endured as a child at the hands of his father. He recounted being punched and kicked when he was in primary school, as well as being threatened with being beaten to death. These incidents, he explained, left him deeply emotionally affected. He further testified that his father’s behavior extended to his younger sister, who was also subjected to physical abuse.
The breaking point for Jakob and his siblings came in 2022 when their sister was struck in the face with a wet towel, leaving a red mark, because she did not want to go for a run. This incident led them to sever ties with their father as their coach and publicly disclose their experiences.
During his testimony, Jakob provided detailed accounts of specific incidents, including an event when he was around seven or eight years old. After his school called the family home asking to speak to his mother, his father confronted him, accused him of lying, and began hitting him in the head repeatedly. He described standing in the kitchen, staring at the floor, as the violence continued. He estimated being struck between ten and twenty times while trying to shield himself.
Another incident took place when he was eight or nine years old. While playing outside on a scooter, he was suddenly attacked, knocked to the ground, and kicked in the stomach. He recalled the shock of the moment, struggling to get up, only to be struck again.
As he grew older, the verbal threats escalated. He recalled sitting in a car with his family when his father threatened to shame him and beat him to death. Over time, this pattern of abuse led to emotional detachment. Jakob explained that he had learned to suppress his emotions, fearing that any sign of happiness could be turned against him if he showed fatigue during training.
The court was also presented with evidence, including a 24-minute video of an argument between Jakob and his father. In the footage, his father was seen aggressively berating him over his request to use a PlayStation after training when he was 19 years old.
Another significant issue arose when Jakob’s father attempted to prevent his relationship with his now-wife. After meeting his future wife at 16, Jakob faced strong opposition when they planned to move in together at 18. In response, his father allegedly called them “terrorists.”
When asked why he had stopped calling his father “Dad” at the age of 11, Jakob explained that he no longer saw him as a father figure. He stated that his father’s actions and words were not reflective of what a father should be. When pressed on what he believed was missing from their relationship, he answered simply: empathy and care.
The trial is expected to continue for several weeks, with further testimonies and evidence to be presented.
