Norwegian coach Gjert Ingebrigtsen, known for bringing his three sons to an international level, has retired from coaching. This ends his 13-year coaching relationship with 1500 metre specialist Narve Nordås, and ends a career that was under watch over the past few years.
The news was first reported by TV 2 on Tuesday, July 7. Apparently, Ingebrigtsen, 60, and Nordås, 27, reached the decision together on Monday night.
Over the past few years, allegations of emotional abuse were lodged against Gert Ingebrigtsen by his own children, the focus on Jakob Ingebrigtsen.
The 25-year-old currently holds four world records, one world best, three European and two national records in distances from 1500m to the 10K road. Jakob Ingebrigtsen earned two World Championships and two Olympic Games gold medals in the 1500m and 5000m events, as well as two silver World Championship medals.
Gert Ingebrigtsen has left the Viking Athletics training group, which included several athletes, the latest being Canada’s Kieran Lumb. Over his coaching career, Ingebrigtsen also coached two other sons, Henrik and Filip. He is the father of seven.
TV 2 reports that Ingebrigtsen had been uncertain about his coaching future for some time.
He experienced several disagreements with the Norwegian Athletics Federation, which had taken a toll on him.
