Olympic champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen is set to testify against his father, Gjert Ingebrigtsen, in a high-profile abuse trial that has sent shockwaves through Norwegian athletics. Rarely does an Olympic gold medalist trade the track for the courtroom, but this week in Norway, Jakob will do just that.
The reigning Olympic and world indoor middle-distance champion is preparing to give testimony in a landmark trial against his father and former coach, Gjert, who faces serious allegations of abuse within the family.
Fresh off a dominant double gold performance in the 1,500m and 3,000m at the World Indoor Championships in Nanjing, Jakob is returning to his hometown of Sandnes—not to celebrate, but to testify for a day and a half in the Sor-Rogaland District Court.
Gjert, 59, is charged with physical and emotional abuse against Jakob spanning over a decade, from 2008 to 2018. A separate charge involves his youngest daughter, Ingrid. While some charges have already been dismissed due to insufficient evidence or expired statutes of limitation, the charge related to Jakob carries a maximum six-year prison sentence and the potential for a restraining order.
The trial, set to last several weeks, is expected to be one of the most significant in Norway’s modern sporting history. All seven Ingebrigtsen siblings will testify, along with more than 30 other witnesses.
In a 2023 statement, Jakob and his brothers Henrik and Filip shared their experiences, stating: “We still feel the discomfort and fear from our childhood. We have somehow come to accept this, but it has drained us of energy, and the joy of sports is gone.”
The Ingebrigtsen family has long been a cultural phenomenon in Norway, thanks in part to their hit docuseries, Team Ingebrigtsen, which aired for five seasons between 2016 and 2021. The show provided fans with a deep look into their training, family dynamics, and Olympic aspirations. Some of this footage is now set to be used as evidence in court.
Jakob, now 24, has emerged as the standout athlete among his siblings, winning multiple Olympic and world titles. However, his relationship with his father has been a source of ongoing tension. Since their split in early 2022, Jakob has competed without a personal coach and has struggled to secure gold in outdoor global championships, finishing with three consecutive silvers in the 1,500m.
Gjert was once celebrated as a groundbreaking coach, known for his data-driven training methods and strict discipline. However, his sons claim that this approach came at a significant personal cost. “He used physical violence and threats as part of his upbringing,” they alleged. “The pressure we have felt has been inhuman at times.”
For his part, Gjert has admitted to being “too much of a coach” but denies ever resorting to violence. In previous interviews, he has described his parenting style as contractual, stating that expectations were set, and consequences followed if they were not met.
The courtroom will be open to the public, except during Ingrid’s testimony. A verdict is expected by early June.
By that time, Jakob may already be back on the track, preparing for the World Championships in Tokyo. However, in the coming weeks, the world will watch him not for his athletic prowess but for his strength of character not just as a champion, but as a son standing for the truth.
