Ingebrigtsen coy on return to competition

OSLO — Norway's Olympic 5,000m champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen said Wednesday that he did not have a fixed date for a return to competition ahead of September's world championships in Tokyo.

Ingebrigtsen picked up an Achilles tendon injury after claiming a rare world indoor double over 1,500m and 3,000m in Nanjing earlier this year.

"My injury was just an irritation in the Achilles tendon," Ingebrigtsen told media on the sidelines of the Oslo Diamond League, which he will miss.

"So, the injury itself is not that critical. But, if you're not cautious and don't take it that seriously, it can develop to be something serious. And, of course, I'm not interested in that.

"I want to be on the track next year as well. So, if it was just before a big championship, of course, it would be different. Then, I would just take the risk and push through it, but there's no reason to risk it in April, May. The championship is late in September."

Ingebrigtsen added: "I will get a lot of answers in the next two weeks. Luckily for me, there is a big period free of competitions mid-July to mid-August, so I can focus on my training.

"But, if I'm going to do any competitions before that, I'm not sure.

"Physically, it's very good. Now it's all about adapting the legs and getting back to normal load.

"But, at the same time, the buildup is always a critical period, because you want to have as fast an increase in the build-up of load and the pace as possible."

Ingebrigtsen won gold in the world championships over 5,000m in 2022 and 2023. After pocketing the Olympic gold in the 1,500m in Tokyo in 2021, he also won the 5,000m title at last summer's Paris Games.

But, he has twice had to do with world 1,500m silver, saying "the most important thing is to maximize my chances" come that event in Tokyo.

"I'm a big competitor, so I really enjoy all different competitions. Not only the biggest ones, but also the low-key competitions, preseason, mid-season, and also afterwards," he said.

"That's why I also do a lot of indoor races and also cross-country. Because I really enjoy competition, and I really enjoy fighting to win against the best runners in the world. So that's what I'm going to do."

Running club

Ingebrigtsen launched his own running team called the Spring Run Club on Wednesday, along with his brothers and two other Norwegian athletes.

Norwegian runner Karoline Bjerkeli Grovdal, cross-country skier Marthe Kristoffersen, and Ingebrigtsen's elder brothers Filip and Henrik, also middle distance runners, are part of the team.

The brothers said the club will be open to anyone interested in learning more about running, regardless of their experience or their skill level, while athletes will also share their insights, tips and training sessions.

"We want to share our knowledge and help grow a global running movement, for everyone that loves running," Jakob Ingebrigtsen said in a statement.

"As professional runners, we have received great support from both the federation at the top level, and local clubs at the grassroots level. We want to continue collaborating with all of them.

"But, what has been missing is a global community fully dedicated to the craft and science of running. That's what we're building now."

The team will also partner with Norwegian omega-3 producer Smartfish Sports Nutrition AS.

"The Ingebrigtsen brothers and Spring Run Club are now shareholders in the company, which has committed to investing a minimum of NOK 30 million ($2.97 million) in operational funding to support the development of the running team," they said in a statement.

Smartfish is also set to become one of the leading partners of the new running team.

Ingebrigtsen has been a key figure in a trial involving his father, Gjert Ingebrigtsen, after Norwegian police pressed charges last year accusing him of abusing two of his seven children, including Jakob.

Norwegian prosecutors are seeking a two-and-a-half-year prison sentence for Gjert, who is accused of abusing his son Jakob and daughter Ingrid, with a verdict expected this month.

Agencies