Gjert Ingebrigtsen has been acquitted of physically and mentally abusing his son Jakob, a two-time Olympic champion. The athletics coach did receive a suspended sentence for abusing his daughter.
The Norwegian prosecutor had previously demanded 2.5 years in prison for Gjert. Two years ago, he was accused in Norwegian media by Jakob and his two brothers Henrik and Filip of physical and mental abuse. This allegedly happened between 2008 and 2018, when Gjert was also the trainer of the athletics brothers.
Gjert’s daughter Ingrid also described several incidents to the court. “I felt trapped in my own house,” Ingrid said at the time. Jakob said there was “a lot of manipulation.” “My youth was characterized by fear,” said the top athlete.
Gjert denied the abuse. “I have never hit anyone in my entire life. I have had significant discussions with Jakob, but it never became physical,” he said.
The Norwegian court has acquitted Gjert of abusing Jakob, but he was found guilty of hitting his daughter Ingrid with a wet towel. He has received a suspended sentence of fifteen days and must pay his daughter damages of 10,000 Norwegian kroner (approximately 875 euros).
Ingrid Ingebrigtsen ended her athletics career in 2022 at the age of fifteen. Jakob Ingebrigtsen is a two-time Olympic champion. He won gold in the 1,500 meters in Tokyo (2020) and in the 5,000 meters in Paris (2024).