Importance Score: 45 / 100 🔵
Ingebrigtsen Father Accuses Sons of “Character Assassination” in Court Testimony
The father of double Olympic champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen has alleged his sons engaged in a “perfect character assassination” against him, according to court testimony. This claim was reportedly captured in a clandestine recording made after his dismissal from their coaching team.
Gjert Ingebrigtsen’s “Descent into Hell” Claim
Gjert Ingebrigtsen asserted in court that he felt dragged “down to hell” following a referral to child protective services. This referral stemmed from a January 2022 incident involving his daughter, Ingrid, where he was accused of striking her face with a damp towel.
Henrik Ingebrigtsen Counters Father’s Claims
However, Henrik Ingebrigtsen, the elder brother of Jakob and a competitor in the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games, reportedly confronted his father, stating that Gjert was solely responsible for the family schism and subsequent events. Henrik attributed the fallout to Gjert’s “violent” behavior towards Ingrid.
LONZERUI2024 New Mens Smart Watch with a 420Mah Large Battery, 1.96-Inch Ultra HD Screen, Wireless Calling, Flashlight Feature,, Suitable for Android And Ios Outdoor Use
Price: $0.62
Mens Gothic Hoodie - Fashion Hoodies with Retro Lace Up Design, Casual Graphic Print, Streetwear Style for Winter Fall, Great Gift Idea
Price: $1.79
[Anti-Slip Basketball Shoes] Anti-Slip Durable Mens High-Top Basketball Shoes | Fashion Training Sneakers for Sports and Casual Wear
🎉 Exclusive deal [Price: $9.19]
Secret Recording and “Betrayal”
During the court proceedings in Sandnes, Norway, transcripts were presented from a tense and often combative 90-minute conversation. This exchange, recorded covertly by Henrik a week after the towel incident, was described by Gjert as an act of “betrayal.”
Financial and Reputational Repercussions
In the recording, Gjert reportedly told Henrik: “You have terminated my role as coach. You have disowned us as parents, and you are executing a flawless character assassination on top of everything. You are obliterating our life’s work with a single stroke. And consequently, my remaining source of income vanishes.”
Child Services Involvement and Personal Destruction Concerns
Gjert also expressed concerns about the involvement of child services regarding Ingrid, who was in her mid-teens at the time. He told Henrik, “These individuals seek to harm me and send me to hell. They are determined to destroy me as a person.”
Brothers Cite “Treatment of Ingrid” as Catalyst
Henrik, however, defended the brothers’ actions, stating they felt compelled to act given the circumstances. “We cannot condone your treatment of Ingrid,” he asserted. “We find it completely unacceptable. That is the root cause of this entire situation.”
Gjert’s Defense and Wartime Mentality
Gjert responded by claiming, “I have not made sufficient errors to warrant being dismissed as the coach of my sons.” In another part of the recorded conversation, Gjert declared: “If someone initiates conflict with me, I will not passively accept it. I will engage in that conflict with all my resources. Absolutely everything. That is my nature.”
“No War,” Henrik Rebuts, as Gjert Expresses Disappointment
Henrik countered with, “There is no conflict.” Towards the end of their discussion, Gjert conveyed his shock and hurt, telling his son, “I never imagined you were capable of such actions against me.”
“Violence Towards Ingrid” Refusal to Accept Justification
Henrik retorted, “And we never imagined you were capable of violence towards Ingrid.”
Gjert Ingebrigtsen Denies Abuse Allegations
Gjert, facing a potential six-year prison sentence for alleged abusive conduct towards Jakob and Ingrid, maintains his innocence on all counts of violence.
Disputed Towel Incident Details
Earlier in the proceedings, Gjert was questioned again about the towel incident with his daughter. He insisted that he had merely flicked a wet towel in the direction of her fingers, not struck her face directly.
“Pull,” Not “Whip” or “Hit,” Gjert Claims
“I do not characterize the motion as a blow,” he clarified. “Terms like ‘whipping’ and ‘hitting’ with a towel are inaccurate. It was more of a pull. I pulled the towel towards her finger. And I am uncertain if contact was even made with her finger. It was a relatively small towel, and we were standing a distance apart. The pulling motion, I believe, was performed twice.”
Red Mark Explanation and “Heated Situation”
On Monday, Gjert suggested to the court that a red mark observed on Ingrid’s face in a photograph taken after the incident could have been due to a skin condition, contradicting her claim that it was caused by being struck.
“The situation became heated,” Gjert admitted. “Unpleasant remarks were exchanged in loud voices. I reacted in a manner that was regrettable on my part; I can elaborate no further.”
Admission of Push, Denial of Violent Force
Gjert also acknowledged physically pushing his daughter with both hands on a separate occasion, for which he later apologized. However, he maintained that the push was not forceful or violent in nature.
Denial of Hitting Jakob Amidst Prosecutor Questioning
Under cross-examination, Gjert was also questioned about an alleged incident of hitting Jakob. The prosecutor noted that Filip, Jakob’s brother, had reportedly witnessed “the incident from multiple perspectives and believed it persisted for an extended duration.”
“No Recollection” of Violence, Gjert Asserts
Gjert refuted this account, stating, “I still have no recollection of striking Jakob or anyone else—neither within my family nor outside of it.”
Rejection of Verbal Abuse Allegations
During further cross-examination, Gjert also denied allegations that he had called Jakob “stupid,” an “idiot,” and “a terrorist” during his upbringing.
Trial Continues
The trial, scheduled to continue until May 16th, remains ongoing.