Ingebrigtsen brothers accuse father of 'physical violence and threats'

Olympic champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen and brothers Filip and Henrik have accused their father, and former coach, Gjert, of physical violence and abusive behaviour, claims strenuously denied by the 57-year-old.

The Norwegian family shot to fame for their exploits on the track, but the three siblings have publicly spoken of their traumatic past, stating the situation is now "unbearable".

Under the guidance of Gjert, Jakob, the youngest of the three siblings, shot to fame when he claimed gold at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 aged just 20. He middle-distance sensation has gone on to add two World Championship silvers and two golds in 2022 and 2023.

Last year Ingebrigtsen stepped down as coach of the three brothers for medical reasons, but began coached fellow Norwegian Narve Gilje Nordas, a main rival of Jakob. The growing family rift widened when Gjert was not granted accreditation at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest.

In a statement from the brothers published in the Norwegian newspaper VG, the brothers said their household growing up was marked by aggression, control and physical violence.

Initially accepting of their environment, they took a stand two year ago, describing their situation as "draining" and "unbearable."

"When we broke up with Gjert, we thought we would be able to handle the situation in an orderly manner, without mentioning the underlying circumstances. We now realise that is not possible," the statement said.

"This matter has become so inflamed and has had such a great consequence that we feel a responsibility to clean it up.

"We have grown up with a father who has been very aggressive and controlling and who has used physical violence and threats as part of his upbringing. We still feel discomfort and fear