The trial that has shocked Norway and the world of athletics has left a deep rift in the Ingebrigtsen family, known for their success on the track and their popularity on television. Gjert Ingebrigtsen, father and former coach of Jakob, Filip, and Henrik, was found guilty of assaulting his daughter Ingrid with a wet towel, although he was acquitted of other charges of physical and psychological abuse.
The Sandnes court issued its verdict this week, sentencing Gjert to a suspended sentence of 15 days and ordering him to pay his daughter €873. However, the ruling does not seem to have brought the parties closer together, and reconciliation between the father and his children seems far off.
The incident that marked the breakup
The conflict that brought the family to court began in January 2022, when Gjert hit Ingrid with a wet towel after an argument at home. According to Ingrid’s testimony, the blow left a red mark on her face, which was photographed by Henrik’s wife, her older brother. The court considered the incident proven, based on the evidence presented and a message of regret sent by Gjert the following day.
During the trial, Jakob and Ingrid also recounted episodes of physical and psychological abuse that, according to them, marked their childhood. However, the court dismissed several of these allegations, considering that there was insufficient evidence or that the memories could have been distorted over time.
Conflicting testimonies at the trial
One of the most controversial episodes was Jakob’s account of being beaten by his father when he was eight years old, after receiving a negative report at school. Filip supported this version, but another brother, Martin, claimed that Gjert had only held him against the wall while shouting at him. The court concluded that the versions were contradictory and that the truth could not be determined with certainty.
Other accusations, such as being knocked off his scooter and kicked in the stomach, were described as “incomprehensible” by the court, which pointed to the lack of witnesses to corroborate these events. In addition, the claim that the Ingebrigtsen home was characterized by an atmosphere of constant fear between 2008 and 2018 was rejected.
The wounds remain open
Following the verdict, Gjert expressed his desire to reconcile with his children, according to his lawyer, Heidi Reisvang. However, the reaction of Jakob, who posted a photo of his daughter on social media with an ironic message, suggests that family relations remain tense.
The case has brought one of the most successful and media-savvy families in athletics into the media spotlight, known for the documentary series ‘Team Ingebrigtsen’, which showed their life on and off the track. Now, the future of this family seems as uncertain as their ability to overcome the wounds opened by this trial.
