Jakob Ingebrigtsen, the two-time world champion at 5000m and 2020 Olympic champion in the 1500m, and his brothers Filip and Henrik accused their father and former coach Gjert Ingebrigsten of physical abuse in an explosive column published in the Norwegian newspaper VG.

Gjert had coached Jakob, 23, Filip, 30, and Henrik, 32, throughout their childhoods and for most of their careers, but announced in 2022 that he was stepping down as their coach, sparking speculation of a family rift.

The brothers wrote in their column published by VG, “When we broke up with Gjert, we thought we would be able to handle the situation in an orderly manner, without mentioning the underlying circumstances. We now realize that is not possible. This matter has become so inflamed and has had such a great consequence that we feel a responsibility to clean it up.

“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. We still feel discomfort and fear which has been in us since childhood. Somehow, we have accepted this. We have lived with it and in adulthood we have moved on. At least we thought so.

“In retrospect, we realize that it was naive. But two years ago, the same aggression and physical punishment struck again. It was the drop that made the cup run over.”

According to a report by Reuters, Gjert Ingebrigtsen has denied the allegations, saying in a statement released through his lawyer, “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 realization I have also come to, albeit far too late.”

The family conflict came to a head recently when Gjert was banned from the Norwegian Athletics Association camp at the World Outdoor Championships in Budapest for coaching Jakob’s 1500m rival, Narve Gilje Nordas. Gjert has also been denied accreditation by the NAA for the 2024 World Indoor Championships in Glasgow, the European Championships in Rome. and the 2024 Paris Olympics.

 Gjert also reportedly did not attend Jakob’s recent wedding to longtime partner Elisabeth Asserson.