4 Years of Physical Violence and Abuse Ends as Jakob Ingebrigtsen’s Father Finally Charged; Might Face 6 Years in Prison

Published 04/29/2024, 1:06 PM EDT

In the world of track and field, the Ingebrigtsen brothers Henrik, 32, Filip, 30, and Jakob, 23, have emerged as a dominant force, captivating fans with their remarkable speed in middle and long-distance running. Jakob, in particular, has soared to unprecedented heights, holding world records for the indoor 1500 meters and the 2000 meters, as well as setting the Olympic record for the 1500-meter race. However, behind these glittering accolades of success lies a personal turmoil that has shattered their family dynamics.

In October 2023, Jakob, Filip, and Henrik Ingebrigtsen made a shocking revelation, accusing their father and former coach, Gjert Ingebrigtsen, of physical violence and abusive behavior over four years in a statement to the Norwegian publication VG. Now, a year later, Gjert Ingebrigtsen, once celebrated as the Norwegian Sports Coach of the Year for 2018, is facing the repercussions of these damning accusations, leaving the sports world reeling in disbelief.

Jakob Ingebrigtsen’s father, Gjert Ingebrigtsen, charged for his actions

According to The Independent, Gjert Ingebrigtsen, the father of Olympic 1,500m champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen, has been charged with physically abusing one of his younger children. According to a report by Norwegian outlet VG, Gjert was accused of beating one of his younger children with a wet towel in January 2022.

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The reported abuse occurred for nearly four years, from 2018 to early 2022, involving threats, coercion, and physical abuse. This incident led to the estrangement between Jakob, Filip, Henrik, and their father. While the charges do not involve Jakob or his older brothers, the identity of the child involved has not been disclosed by the police.

Police inspector Terese Braut Vage told VG that “A case has been opened under section 282 of the Criminal Code — abuse in close relationships. This means that we are now in an investigation phase, where the purpose of the investigation is to uncover whether there are criminal circumstances.”

The public prosecutor’s office stated that it had dropped five other allegations due to the status of the evidence, while another was considered out of date. Last year, the 58-year-old Gjert, who has seven children in total, insisted that he had “never used violence against his children.” If found guilty, Gjert Ingebrigtsen faces up to six years in prison, although no date for a trial has been set. As we reflect on these charges, let us delve deeper into the dynamics within the Ingebrigtsen family and the underlying issues that have led to this troubling situation.

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The Ingebrigtsen family dynamics

The Ingebrigtsen family, consisting of Gjert and Tone Ingebrigtsen and their sons Henrik, Filip, and Jakob, as well as four other children, Kristoffer, Martin, Ingrid, and William, gained widespread recognition through the TV docu-series “Team Ingebrigtsen” for their family dynamic.

Gjert Ingebrigtsen coached his three sons, Henrik, Filip, and Jakob, until 2022 when he stepped down due to medical reasons. However, tensions within the family intensified when Gjert began coaching fellow Norwegian Narve Gilje Nordas, who emerged as Jakob’s main rival heading into the Olympics.

The situation took a darker turn in 2023 when the brothers, Jakob, Filip, and Henrik, publicly accused their father of physical violence and abusive behavior. In a statement to VG, the brothers revealed the extent of their experiences, stating that they had grown up with a father who had been very aggressive and controlling, using physical violence and threats as part of their upbringing.

They admitted to feeling discomfort and fear since childhood, but they had hoped they had moved past it. However, they realized that was naive when, “two years ago, the same aggression and physical punishment struck again. It was the drop that made the cup run over.” They also expressed that they did not have the capacity or desire to deal with their father any longer.

In response, Gjert Ingebrigtsen denied the allegations of violence through his lawyer, stating, “I’m far from perfect as a father and husband, but I’m not violent. First and foremost, this is a tragic situation for my family–we have reached the point where we are spreading false accusations against each other in the media. It makes me deeply unhappy. How we’re going to get past this, I don’t know, but we’ve got to try.”

The situation has significantly impacted the Ingebrigtsen brothers’ athletic careers. They have distanced themselves from their father and former coach and have requested safety measures from the Norwegian Athletics Association to avoid any interactions with him. In 2023, Gjert was not granted accreditation at the World Championships in Budapest and did not attend Jakob’s wedding in September. As the case continues to unfold, the charges against Gjert Ingebrigtsen for abuse underscore the severity of the allegations made by his sons and highlight the need for a thorough investigation. What are your thoughts on the situation? Comment below!

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Written by:

Christaline Meyers is a senior Olympics writer at EssentiallySports who specializes in gymnastics and alpine skiing. Christaline is one of the acclaimed authorities in the coverage of 6x All-Around champion, Simone Biles. She has written extensively, covering every detail of Biles’s life stories as well as providing her perspective on Simone Biles’ Yurchenko Double Pike controversy.

Edited by:

Sampurna Pal