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Athletics | Gjert Ingebrigtsen apologizes
🇫🇮 Finland /Sports

Athletics | Gjert Ingebrigtsen apologizes

From Helsingin Sanomat · () Finnish

Translated from Finnish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • Norwegian athletics coach Gjert Ingebrigtsen has apologized to his children for the first time in a podcast, admitting responsibility for their strained relationship.
  • Ingebrigtsen was previously convicted of physically assaulting one daughter and acquitted of charges related to his son Jakob, amidst a legal battle with his children over alleged domestic violence.
  • His children, including star runner Jakob Ingebrigtsen, had accused their father of raising them amidst fear and violence.

Norwegian athletics coach Gjert Ingebrigtsen has publicly apologized to his children, admitting his responsibility for the family's fractured relationship. The apology came during an appearance on a podcast, where Ingebrigtsen expressed deep regret for the situation.

This is a great opportunity to apologize.

— Gjert IngebrigtsenGjert Ingebrigtsen described the podcast appearance as a significant moment to express his regret.

"This is my fault, not legally, but it is my fault and my responsibility that we have ended up in this situation. I carry guilt and shame with me for the rest of my life," Ingebrigtsen stated, as reported by VG. He described the situation as a "great opportunity to apologize."

This public admission follows a tumultuous period for the Ingebrigtsen family. Gjert Ingebrigtsen was acquitted of charges related to his son Jakob but convicted of physically assaulting another daughter, receiving a 15-day suspended sentence. The family's legal disputes have been ongoing, with his children accusing him of raising them in an environment of fear and violence.

I had done my best to express my sincere apologies. There is no doubt that it is my responsibility.

— Gjert IngebrigtsenIngebrigtsen responded to a hypothetical question about addressing all his children, acknowledging his role in the family's issues.

In the podcast, Ingebrigtsen was asked what he would say if all his children stood before him. He responded by saying he had done his best to express his sincere apologies. However, an advisor for the Ingebrigtsen brothers, Espen Skoland, suggested that the podcast should have probed deeper into what Gjert Ingebrigtsen specifically considered his mistakes and what he was truly sorry for. Skoland also commented that Ingebrigtsen was "free to paint his own portrait as a martyr."

This is my fault, not legally, but it is my fault and my responsibility that we have ended up in this situation. I carry guilt and shame with me for the rest of my life.

— Gjert IngebrigtsenHe further elaborated on his accountability for the family's strained circumstances.

Jakob Ingebrigtsen, a prominent 25-year-old runner, along with his brothers Filip and Henrik, had previously revealed that their upbringing was marked by fear and violence, which they attributed to their father. Gjert Ingebrigtsen had denied these accusations.

free to paint his own portrait as a martyr.

— Espen SkolandThe advisor for the Ingebrigtsen brothers offered a critical perspective on Gjert Ingebrigtsen's public statements.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Helsingin Sanomat in Finnish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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