JAKOB INGEBRIGTSEN accused his father of sickening emotional and physical abuse during a harrowing first day in court.
The two-time Olympic gold medallist, 24, claims that his father and former coach, Gjert, “controlled” him and his siblings.
4
4
Ingebrigtsen alleges that his father assaulted him several times during his childhood, and that the emotional toll of the abuse has affected him in his adult life.
The middle and long-distance runner referred to his father “as the defendant” during day one of the trial – claiming his actions were “not worthy” of being called a father.
Gjert, 59, denies the allegations.
Recalling getting in trouble at school aged “seven or eight”, Ingebrigtsen told the courtroom in Sandnes, Norway: “I’m just standing in the kitchen and looking down at the ground.
“The defendant is standing over me and screaming at me. He hits me several times on the top of the head.
“I try to protect myself from violence, before he takes my hands and puts them down on my side… to continue hitting me in the head.
“I remember freezing and wanting it to be over. I was just paralysed.”
On another alleged incident at a hotel, Ingebrigtsen added: “If I didn’t do as he did, he would come and shame me and beat me until I was sick.”
4
4
It was also claimed that Gjert threatened to beat his son “to death” during an argument in a car.
Ingebrigtsen has six siblings; Henrik, Filip, Kristoffer, Martin, Ingrid, and William.
Jakob, Henrik and Filip have gone to become professional athletes, with the family’s journey detailed in the documentary series “Team Ingebrigtsen” between 2016 and 2021.
The trio split with their father as coach in 2022, and the following year made allegations against him public.
During day one of the trial, Jakob claimed that they decided to do so in order to protect younger sister Ingrid, 19.
He said: “The motive is to look after and help her as best we can, and take care of ourselves.
“Try to get out of the difficult situations and the lives we have had. I can’t think of any other motives than that.”
‘SABOTAGE’
Ingebrigtsen claimed that he had witnessed Ingrid being struck in the face with a wet towel in 2022 for not wanting to become a professional athlete like her older brothers.
It was alleged that Gjert threatened to “sabotage” his sons careers when they split with him as coach three years ago.
Asked about the toll of his father’s behaviour by the prosecutor, Ingebrigtsen said: “I definitely think it affected the way I was able to be a child.
“I always looked over my shoulder and thought about the possible consequences of what I did.
When I got a girlfriend and wife, it was difficult to have a life together
Jakob Ingebrigtsen
“As a teenager, I realised that the less I did, the safer I was. I became very conscious about showing emotions and ended up not doing it. To protect myself.
“I now struggle a lot with letting people in and trusting me. When I got a girlfriend and wife, it was difficult to have a life together.
“You have to show feelings and be there for each other. Be a person who contributes to the family. It’s difficult when I’ve lived a life with a lot of stress.”
Ingebrigtsen is married to childhood sweetheart Elisabeth Asserson.
When they wanted to move in together aged 18, Jakob claims that his father called them “terrorists”.
Gjert did not attend their wedding in 2023, although their mother Tone was present.
‘CHARACTERISED BY FEAR’
On how he was raised, Ingebrigtsen said: “My upbringing was very much characterised by fear.
“Everything was controlled and decided for me. There was an enormous amount of manipulation.
“As a teenager I felt I had no free will or say in anything.”
The trial is expected to last around two months.
Gjert is scheduled to give evidence next week.
