Jakob Ingebrigtsen’s father, Gjert, is set to face trial next year on charges that include abusing the double Olympic champion and threatening to 'beat him to death'. Ingebrigtsen, who won gold medals in the 1500m in Tokyo and 5,000m in Paris, also claims that his father and former coach 'punched and kicked' him over a 10-year period starting from his school days.

The Norwegian newspaper VG reports that it has seen the indictment, which states that state prosecutors have charged Gjert with beating two of his children while he was their coach. The paper also alleges that Gjert called his son a 'thug' and a 'terrorist', and threatened to 'shame him and knock him out of health'. Gjert denies all allegations.

According to VG, the trial is expected to last about eight weeks, with 30 to 40 witnesses likely to be called. Assistant attorney Mette Yvonne Larsen commented: 'This was as expected based on the evidence situation. It is a very serious indictment that extends over a period of many years.'

Gjert and his sons were part of a popular Norwegian reality TV show, but in 2022, he stepped down as the coach of 'Team Ingebrigtsen' due to medical reasons. Jakob and his brothers Henrik and Filip, who are also accomplished middle-distance runners, later asked the Norwegian athletics federation to help them avoid their father in international events, as he was coaching world 1500m bronze medallist Narve Gilje Nordås.

'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 upbringing,' the brothers wrote. 'We still feel discomfort and fear which has been in us since childhood.'

VG reports that Jakob has detailed the alleged physical and mental abuse towards himself and his siblings to investigators. 'He has explained that he has been hit in the head several times by his father, Gjert,' the paper says. 'In one situation, the abuse lasted for 15 to 30 minutes, the running star has explained to the police. Another episode concerns kicking. The situations Jakob Ingebrigtsen has explained in questioning extend over a number of years.'

Several other family members have reportedly corroborated Jakob's account. Gjert's lawyers, John Christian Elden and Heidi Reisvang, maintain that their client rejects the accusations and believes 'the decision on prosecution has been rushed'. In comments made last year, Gjert added: 'The statements they make are baseless. I have never used violence against my children. That I have weaknesses as a father, and have been too much of a coach, is a realisation I have also come to, albeit far too late.'

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