Jakob, Henrik, and Filip Ingebrigtsen Accuse Their Father of Aggression and Control

In a shocking revelation, the Ingebrigtsen brothers, including Olympic 1500m champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen and his older siblings Henrik and Filip, have come forward to accuse their father and former coach, Gjert Ingebrigtsen, of being “very aggressive and controlling.” This bombshell was dropped in a heartfelt column penned by the three athletes for the Norwegian website VG, where they expressed their ongoing discomfort and fear regarding their father’s behavior.

Gjert Ingebrigtsen had been the trainer of the trio until 2022, a period during which Jakob clinched the gold medal at the Tokyo Games. However, the dynamics within the family seem to have taken a darker turn.

Through his lawyer, Gjert has categorically denied these allegations, stating that the claims are “baseless” and asserting that he has “never used violence against his children.” No criminal charges have been brought against him at this point.

The Ingebrigtsen family is well-known in the sporting world, with seven children, including world 5,000m champion Jakob, Henrik, and Filip, all competing at Olympic levels. Gjert played a multifaceted role in his sons’ careers, serving as their agent, manager, and coach. The family even featured in a Norwegian reality show called Team Ingebrigtsen.

In their column titled ‘This is Our Story,’ the brothers shed light on the reasons behind their decision to share their personal experiences. They cited the intense media scrutiny in Norway about their split with Gjert as their coach and felt a compelling need to address what they described as a “very serious and burdensome family situation.” They emphasized that they were coming forward to provide clarity amidst the turmoil.

The Ingebrigtsen brothers made deeply troubling allegations, stating that they “grew up with a father who has been very aggressive and controlling, and who has used physical violence and threats as part of his upbringing.” They revealed that they had carried this discomfort and fear with them since childhood. The situation escalated a couple of years ago when they experienced a resurgence of aggression and physical punishment, which became the tipping point.

Their primary goal now is to regain their passion for sports and represent Norway, without the shadows of these accusations looming over them. They expressed their desire for peace and the ability to focus on their training and competitions. They also extended this wish to their competitors and colleagues in the running world, emphasizing the importance of creating a safe environment for all.

Gjert Ingebrigtsen responded to these accusations through his lawyer, admitting that he had been an imperfect father and coach. He acknowledged that he had been too focused on coaching but vehemently denied any involvement in violence. The family’s life had been in the public eye for years, allowing the Norwegian public to witness their ups and downs, but Gjert emphasized that violence should have no place in their story.

This situation has taken a toll on the Ingebrigtsen family and has become a public spectacle. The Norwegian Athletics Federation had already decided not to grant Gjert accreditation as a coach for international championships before this revelation. In response to the brothers’ column, the governing body expressed its commitment to providing a safe and healthy environment for athletes, coaches, and support staff, pledging to take responsibility in light of the serious allegations made by Jakob, Filip, and Henrik.

This is a deeply troubling and complex family situation that has sent shockwaves through the world of sports. It remains to be seen how this story will unfold and what impact it will have on the Ingebrigtsen family’s athletic careers and their relationships.

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• [Ingebrigtsen brothers accuse father of violence](link to the original article)
• [Norwegian Athletics Federation’s statement](link to their official statement, if available)
• [More about the Ingebrigtsen family in sports](relevant article on their athletic achievements and family background)
• [Gjert Ingebrigtsen’s denial statement](link to his response via his lawyer)