In an intense legal battle that captivated Norway, Gjert Ingebrigtsen, who is widely recognized as the father and former coach of one of the world’s top middle-distance runners, Jakob Ingebrigtsen, faced the country’s courts. On Monday, the 59-year-old was found guilty of assaulting his daughter, a verdict confirmed by the Soer Rogaland District Court. While the court convicted Gjert on one count of minor assault, it acquitted him of more severe accusations, particularly those concerning his famous son, Jakob.
In a trial that commenced in March, Gjert stood accused of engaging in a prolonged campaign of domestic abuse against his children, Jakob and Ingrid. However, he consistently denied these allegations. The verdict, delivered in writing, concluded with a suspended 15-day prison sentence for Gjert, who was also ordered to compensate his daughter with NOK 10,000, approximately $1,010.
According to defense attorneys John Christian Elden and Heidi Reisvang, the court did not find substantial evidence to suggest that Gjert maintained an environment of persistent fear for his children. “There are no winners in this case,” noted Reisvang, expressing that Gjert looks forward to rebuilding relationships with his family in the future.
The public first became familiar with Gjert through the popular documentary series, Team Ingebrigtsen, which began airing in 2016. The series followed his role as a mentor and coach to his athletic sons, Jakob, Filip, and Henrik, until its conclusion in 2021. However, by 2022, the bond had frayed, leading to the brothers parting ways with their father. Subsequently, they publicly accused Gjert of physical mistreatment in a piece published in a national newspaper, prompting a police investigation.
Despite his separation from coaching his sons, Gjert continues to work in athletics, now training Narve Gilje Nordas, a Norwegian competitor in the 1500-meter event. Jakob, who earned an Olympic gold medal in the 1,500 meters at the Tokyo Games and later triumphed in the 5,000 meters at the 2024 Paris Games, reacted to the verdict on social media. In an Instagram post, he acknowledged his track successes but emphasized his personal commitment, expressing a heartfelt desire for his daughter, Filippa, to cherish and respect him.
Japna’s career triumphs continued beyond the Olympics, as he holds titles from the World Championships in the 5,000-meter category in both 2022 and 2023. Despite the family’s public struggles, Jakob’s focus remains deeply personal, aiming to foster a lasting and meaningful connection with his family.