Jakob Ingebrigtsen to Testify Against Father in Abuse Trial

• Mar 24, 2025

Olympic champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen is set to testify against his father and former coach, Gjert, in a landmark abuse trial. The case has shaken Norwegian athletics, drawing attention to a family dynamic that has been complicated by serious allegations.

Jakob, who recently won double gold in the 1,500m and 3,000m at the World Indoor Championships, will return to his hometown of Sandnes. However, instead of celebrating, he will spend a day and a half in the Sør-Rogaland District Court. His father, Gjert Ingebrigtsen, faces charges of physical and emotional abuse against Jakob spanning a decade, from 2008 to 2018. Additionally, there is a separate allegation involving Jakob’s younger sister, Ingrid.

The trial is expected to be one of the most high-profile legal battles in Norway’s sporting history. In addition to Jakob, all seven Ingebrigtsen siblings are slated to testify, and over 30 witnesses will appear in court. The trial will unfold over several weeks, and it has already garnered significant attention. Despite the charges against him, Gjert, 59, denies all allegations. Some charges have already been dropped due to insufficient evidence or expired statutes of limitation. However, the charge involving Jakob carries a maximum six-year prison sentence and a potential restraining order.

In a joint statement in October 2023, Jakob, Henrik, and Filip Ingebrigtsen shared how the abuse affected them, stating that they still carry discomfort and fear from their childhoods. The brothers mentioned how the pressure of living in the public eye and their strained relationship with their father had drained them of energy and joy, particularly in sports.

The Ingebrigtsen family is famous in Norway, not only for their athletic achievements but also due to the docuseries Team Ingebrigtsen, which aired between 2016 and 2021. The show offered an inside look at their family life and training, some of which will be used as evidence in court.

Gjert, once praised for his innovative coaching methods, has admitted to being “too much of a coach,” but he denies using violence, describing his parenting style as one of clear expectations and consequences. The courtroom proceedings will be open to the public, except for Ingrid’s testimony, and a verdict is expected by early June.

Jakob’s strength of character, as both an athlete and a son, will be under intense scrutiny in the coming weeks.