Father of Olympic Champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen Convicted of Assaulting Daughter Ingrid

Gjert Ingebrigtsen, father of Olympic gold medalist Jakob Ingebrigtsen, has been convicted of assaulting his daughter Ingrid, following a high-profile trial in Norway. He received a suspended 15-day prison sentence and was ordered to pay NOK 10,000 (about $1,000) in compensation.

The conviction stems from a 2022 incident in which Ingrid, then a teenager, testified that her father struck her across the cheek with a wet towel. Although she later received a text from him, she said he apologized only for raising his voice—not for the physical act itself.

Gjert had also been accused of long-term physical and psychological abuse toward Jakob and Ingrid. However, the South Rogaland District Court found insufficient evidence to support those broader claims and acquitted him on all other counts. His legal team emphasized that several close family members and external witnesses testified they had not witnessed abuse.

Ingrid trained as a competitive runner in her youth, following in the footsteps of her accomplished siblings, but stepped away from competition around the age of 15.

Jakob’s legal representative expressed disappointment with the verdict, stating, “You describe violence, you’re believed, and yet he isn’t convicted.” She added that both Jakob and Ingrid are now focused on moving forward.

Prosecutors have 14 days from the June 16 ruling to consider an appeal.

posted Tuesday June 17th
by Boris Baron