COPENHAGEN: Norwegian police said on Thursday they have opened a criminal investigation over violence allegations against the father and former coach of world and Olympic athletics champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen, and his brothers Henrik and Filip who are also runners.
Police said they had gathered sufficient information to look into whether Gjert Ingebrigtsen committed criminal offences after being accused by his three sons via the Verdens Gang paper last week, reported dpa news.
“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 education. We still feel discomfort and fear which have been in us since childhood,” the brothers said.
They said that aggression and physical punishment returned two years ago and was “the drop that made the cup run over”, prompting them to sever their ties with him as a coach and in general.
Gjert Ingebrigtsen has dismissed the allegations via his lawyer, saying he was never violent against his sons although he also admitted to shortcomings as a father and coach.
Jakob Ingebrigtsen, 23, won Olympic 1,500 metres gold in 2021, has two golds and two silvers from world championships, and two 1,500m/5,000m doubles at European championships.
Henrik Ingebrigtsen, 32, has four European championship medals highlighted by 1,500m gold in 2012.
Filip Ingebrigtsen, 30, won the continental title over the distance in 2016, plus bronze at the 2017 Worlds. – BERNAMA-dpa
