Prosecutors Seek Prison Sentence for Father of Norwegian Olympic Champion

Norwegian prosecutors are seeking a two-and-a-half-year prison sentence for Gjert Ingebrigtsen, father and former coach of Olympic champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen, accusing him of physical and psychological abuse of Jakob and his sister Ingrid over 14 years. Jakob, a multiple Olympic and world champion, testified in court describing a childhood marked by fear, manipulation, and incidents of violence, including being punched and kicked from a young age. Prosecutors emphasized the breach of trust involved in the abuse and highlighted the lasting impact of the violence on Jakob's upbringing, describing it as a regime of repeated abuse. Gjert Ingebrigtsen denies the charges and faces up to six years in prison if convicted, with his defense arguing that the prosecution's sentencing request is excessive. The trial has drawn significant media attention, as Jakob and his brothers publicly cut ties with their father in 2022 amid these allegations. The case underscores the tension between family dynamics and the pressure surrounding elite athletic success.