Ingebrigtsen criticizes rival Kerr: 'He's destroying the sport'

Norwegian runner Jakob Ingebrigtsen has voiced strong criticism against his rival, Josh Kerr, for withdrawing from the European Athletics Championships. Ingebrigtsen, who recently won the 5000m at the championships after an Achilles surgery, expressed disappointment that Kerr is not participating, especially since the event is being held in Great Britain.

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I think many people should be disappointed. Because that's what championships are about.

"I think many people should be disappointed. Because that's what championships are about," Ingebrigtsen stated in an interview with the BBC. He argued that athletes not competing in major championships "destroys the sport." Ingebrigtsen, who also opted out of the 1500m at the championships, believes that while athletes have different plans, he would never put himself in a position to miss such events.

Kerr, a Scottish runner, has achieved the world's best times this year in both the 1500m (3:27.62) and the mile (3:42.66), the latter being a world record set in July. Despite these achievements and the championships being on home soil in Birmingham, England, Kerr has chosen not to compete.

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I definitely think it destroys the sport if we don't compete. We all have different plans, but I never see myself in that position.

The rivalry between Ingebrigtsen and Kerr intensified after Kerr defeated the Norwegian in the 1500m final at the 2023 World Championships. Their ongoing verbal sparring has been a notable aspect of their competition. Ingebrigtsen acknowledged Kerr's recent mile world record as an "extremely good race" and a "very strong performance," but maintained his stance on the importance of participation in major championships.

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An extremely good race and a very strong performance.