Gjert Ingebrigtsen, the father and former coach of Jakob Ingebrigtsen, appeared in a Norwegian court on Monday. As is well documented, he is accused of domestic violence against his son. He denies the allegations, but if convicted, he could spend six years in prison.
After the reading of the indictment, Ingebrigtsen, 59, told the judges that he “rejects the accusations against him” of physical abuse. His testimony took place on the first day of the trial, which was held at the Sandnes district court in southwest Norway, where the family lives.
Jakob Ingebrigtsen, who is fresh off of winning gold in the 1500 metre and 3000m at the 2025 Nanjing World Indoor Championships, was not in attendance.
Jakob, his two brothers and his sister — all athletes — corroborate the charges. The Norwegian people were shocked when Jokaob published an op-ed about the alleged physical and psychological violence he had suffered at the hands of Gjert.
The allegations prompted the Norwegian police to investigate.
According to the indictment, Gjert hit, threatened, and insulted Jakob on multiple occasions during his childhood. During the summer of 2009, Gjert allegedly kicked Jakob in the stomach, and several years later, it is alleged Gjert threatened to hit him. In addition to this, he is accused of abusing his daughter over four years, from 2018 to 2022, insulting her, threatening her, and slapping her with his hand.
“I am far from perfect as a father and husband, but I have never resorted to violence,” said Gjert of the charges.
