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Ingebrigtsen advisor questions father's apology clarity
🇳🇴 Norway /Culture & Society

Ingebrigtsen advisor questions father's apology clarity

From Aftenposten · () Norwegian

Translated from Norwegian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • The advisor for the Ingebrigtsen brothers has criticized Gjert Ingebrigtsen's recent podcast apology, stating it's unclear what he is truly apologizing for.
  • The advisor believes Stavanger Aftenblad failed to ask crucial follow-up questions regarding Gjert's alleged threats and his children's wishes for distance.
  • Gjert Ingebrigtsen, previously acquitted of some abuse charges but convicted of one count of assault, expressed shame and responsibility for the family's situation in the podcast.

Espen Skoland, the media advisor and spokesperson for Norwegian athletes Jakob, Henrik, and Filip Ingebrigtsen since 2023, has reacted critically to a podcast appearance by their father, Gjert Ingebrigtsen. In a podcast with Stavanger Aftenblad, Gjert Ingebrigtsen offered an apology to his family, but Skoland argues that the nature and extent of this apology remain ambiguous.

It is difficult to grasp what Gjert Ingebrigtsen is actually apologizing for, what he believes was his fault, and what he carries shame around, as long as he does not elaborate, and as long as Stavanger Aftenblad does not do its job and follow up these obvious questions.

— Espen SkolandEspen Skoland, media advisor for the Ingebrigtsen brothers, criticizes the lack of clarity in Gjert Ingebrigtsen's apology.

"It is difficult to grasp what Gjert Ingebrigtsen is actually apologizing for, what he believes was his fault, and what he carries shame around, as long as he does not elaborate, and as long as Stavanger Aftenblad does not do its job and follow up these obvious questions," Skoland stated in a message to VG.

Gjert Ingebrigtsen was acquitted of abuse allegations against two of his children last year but received a 15-day suspended sentence for one count of assault against his daughter. In the podcast, he stated, "This is a good opportunity to apologize." When asked what he would say if all his children were present, he responded, "I would do my best to offer a heartfelt apology for why we are where we are. There is no doubt that the responsibility is mine."

This is a good opportunity to apologize.

— Gjert IngebrigtsenGjert Ingebrigtsen speaks about his family situation in a podcast.

Skoland highlighted three specific follow-up questions he believes Stavanger Aftenblad should have posed: whether Gjert regrets threatening to sabotage his sons' athletic careers, whether he will respect his sons' wishes to keep him away from competitions, and what he specifically meant by "should have done things differently." Skoland feels Gjert was allowed to present a self-pitying narrative without being pressed for concrete details about his alleged threats and the family's desire for distance.

I would do my best to offer a heartfelt apology for why we are where we are. There is no doubt that the responsibility is mine.

— Gjert IngebrigtsenGjert Ingebrigtsen responds to a question about what he would say to his children.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Aftenposten in Norwegian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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