A Once United and Celebrated Running Dynasty in Norway Fractures Amid Accusations of Aggression and Physical Discipline

In a quiet corner of a Tokyo stadium, a father gently wipes away tears from his eyes. He has just witnessed his 20-year-old son triumphantly seize his first Olympic gold medal, showcasing an exhilarating performance by skillfully overtaking his formidable Kenyan rival, Timothy Cheruiyot, on the final bend of the intense 1,500-meter final.

This profound moment brims with immense emotions for any parent, but it resonates even deeper if you have been the guiding force, nurturing and mentoring your son throughout his remarkable journey as a runner. Such is the extraordinary tale of Gjert Ingebrigtsen, who not only stands as a father but also as the coach of three of his seven children: Henrik, Filip, and Jakob - the very same Jakob who triumphed with the well-deserved Olympic gold in Tokyo just two years ago.

Today, the family dynamic has undergone a change. Last year, the three brothers who used to be coached by their father decided to end their coaching relationship, sparking widespread speculation about a possible rift in Norway's renowned and fastest sporting family.

Recently, the three brothers decided to disclose the reasons behind their decision not to continue being coached by their father. They claim that he displayed aggressive behavior, exerted excessive control, and resorted to physical violence and threats against them.

"We continue to experience discomfort and fear that have been ingrained in us since childhood," Henrik, Filip, and Jakob expressed in a recent story published in the Norwegian newspaper VG.

"Somewhat, we have come to terms with this. We have adapted to living with it, and as adults, we believed we had moved past it. However, upon reflection, we now recognize our previous notion as naive."

Jakob Ingebrigtsen races to gold at the Tokyo Olympics

According to Matthias Hangst/Getty Images, two years ago, prior to terminating their coaching arrangement with their father, "the same aggressive behavior and use of physical punishment resurfaced. This proved to be the breaking point."

Gjert Ingebrigtsen has refuted these allegations, stating through his legal representative, Elden Advokatfirma, that the claims made by his sons are unfounded. He firmly denies ever resorting to violence against his children.

However, he acknowledges that he has had shortcomings as a father and has been overly involved as a coach, a realization that came to him, albeit belatedly.

Norwegian police announced on Thursday that they have conducted initial investigations into the allegations made by the brothers and have initiated a case under a criminal code pertaining to "abuse in close relationships." Inspector Terese Braut Våge stated in a statement shared with CNN Sport that this indicates a shift to the investigative phase, where the objective is to uncover any potential criminal elements.

John Christian Elden, the lawyer representing Gjert, informed CNN Sport that his client has not been charged with any criminal offense as of now. Elden mentioned that this development was not surprising and expressed his client's confidence in the investigation's outcome. Additionally, he stated that this investigation presents Gjert's sole chance to prove his innocence.

Henrik, Jakob and Filip Ingebrigsten celebrate Jakob's gold medal in the 1,500 meters at the 2018 European Championships in Berlin.

Michael Steele/Getty Images

In their account of their relationship with their father in VG, the brothers did not go into detail about specific incidents of abuse or physical violence. Furthermore, just days after the publication of the story, Martin Ingebrigtsen, who is not a professional athlete, came forward to defend Gjert, stating to VG: "Thankfully, fear has never been a familiar emotion to me. I never experienced fear towards my father."

I must admit that I struggle to understand the magnitude of this fear, considering that other family members frequently visit and have recently gone on vacation with Gjert. In a previous interview with the New York Times, Jakob discussed the family's tension, expressing, "Our father's anxiety has a significant impact on everyone. It often leads to frustration and anger towards any form of competition. His nervousness causes him to become easily irritated and angry over minor issues."

CNN has contacted representatives for the Ingebrigtsen brothers for further comment.

One of Norways biggest athletes

Henrik, aged 32, Filip, aged 30, and Jakob, aged 23, are highly accomplished runners specializing in middle and long-distance races. However, out of the three, it is Jakob who has achieved the greatest success, earning accolades at both the world and Olympic levels. He has also set impressive indoor records in events such as the 1,500m and 2,000m.

According to Herman Folvik, a sports journalist for VG, Jakob is regarded as one of the top athletes in Norway, much like renowned soccer players Erling Haaland and Martin Ødegaard, or golfer Viktor Hovland.

The brothers' rise to fame in Norway is not solely due to their impressive running abilities. The documentary series, Team Ingebrigtsen, which was initially broadcasted in 2016, has brought attention to the family's dynamic, focusing on the relationship between their father-coach, Gjert, and his sons. Folvik suggests that besides the royal family, the Ingebrigtsens are perhaps the most renowned family in Norway. The documentary delves into the running brothers and their father Gjert, while also providing insights into the mother, Tone, and the rest of the siblings.

Less than a year after Jakob's gold medal win at the Tokyo Olympics, the brothers and Gjert declared their separation in February 2022. In their account published on October 19 in VG, Henrik, Filip, and Jakob revealed that media scrutiny regarding their connection with Gjert had forced them to address their family dynamics openly.

"We initially believed we could address the situation in a systematic manner without acknowledging the reasons behind our split from Gjert," they stated.

"However, it has now come to our attention that this approach is unfeasible. The issue at hand has escalated significantly, resulting in profound implications, which compels us to take responsibility and resolve it."

Describing it as a "family conflict," they expressed their aspiration for "peace among all parties." Gjert expressed his sorrow over the Ingebrigtsens' "tragic situation" in his remarks to CNN Sport.

"Our family has been in the public eye for numerous years, willingly inviting the public into our lives through television series, interviews, and various other mediums," he remarked.

"The idea that such a violent incident could occur within our publicly displayed family life is simply unimaginable. The Norwegian population has witnessed the various facets of our lives, both positive and negative... I cannot comprehend how we will overcome this, but we must make an effort to do so."

The dynamic among the father and his trio of sons grows intricate due to the involvement of Gjert in coaching another Norwegian athlete, Narve Gilje Nordås. Notably, Nordås secured a bronze medal in the 1,500 meters event at the recent world championships, narrowly trailing Jakob.

Narve Gilje Nordås is awarded his 1,500-meter bronze medal at this year's world championships in Budapest, Hungary..

Sam Mellish/Getty Images

The Norwegian Athletics Federation recently announced that Gjert, the coach, will not be approved for accreditation as a coach for upcoming international competitions, including the world indoor championships and European championships next year. The federation's decision is based on its commitment to ensuring a "safe environment" for athletes. Additionally, the federation mentioned the Ingebrigtsen brothers' comments in the media and stated that it will also advise against granting Gjert accreditation for the upcoming Paris Olympics.

Nordås, on the other hand, intends to release a statement in the upcoming days. He finds the situation absurd and confirms that he is still training with Gjert.

As for Jakob, he primarily coaches himself but seeks guidance from his older brothers. Undoubtedly, he remains the most influential middle-distance runner globally, with ambitious goals for his track and field profession.

"I dont want to sound immodest," he said in an interview earlier this year, "but my main goal is to become the best runner of all time, for which I still have a lot of work to do."