What a time to choose to beat your big brother! Filip Ingebrigtsen, 23, had never beaten Henrik, 25, the whole time they have been racing each other but on Saturday evening in the Amsterdam Olympic Stadium the 23 year old Norwegian turned on the after burners in the finishing straight to claim gold in the 1500m.
With Henrik collecting bronze the two made not only family history but wrote a page in the history of the European Athletics Championships since it was the first time brothers had won medals at the 1500m.
For the winner it was hard to assimilate: “I can’t believe it,” said Filip as he stood on the track with his hands to his head in disbelief. “Two years ago I didn’t make it to the final but now I have won gold.” And he had earned it.
Showing impeccable tactical sense he stayed out of trouble for most of the race hugging the kerb and taking the shortest distance to the finish. It was only in the back straight on the final lap that he started to move into an attacking position.
But once he launched his sprint in the final straight the outcome was never in doubt: “They could have tried anything today but I would have won anyway. It was all so very easy,” he noted, not without justification. He ended the race flying while everyone else was treading water, covering the final lap in a blistering 51.5.
What a show by the Ingebrigtsen brothers who take gold and bronze for Norway over 1500m #ECH2016 #brothers pic.twitter.com/kIXUo5ESTD
— European Athletics (@EuroAthletics) July 9, 2016
Filip explained at no stage in the run-up to the final had he felt nervous: “I could feel the tension in my body, but I am more nervous before an 800m. You have time to think in the 1500m.”
Brother Henrik surged for bronze despite being baulked as he began his final effort. That means Henrik now has a full set of medals in the 1500m, which is also a little bit of history for Norway since no Norwegian has won three medals at the European Championships.
Henrik first won his surprise gold in Helsinki four years ago, then took silver in Zurich two years later despite falling with 600m to go. Maybe father Gjert, who is coach to the whole family (there is yet another brother, Jakob, who is also gifted) must take some credit for his sons’ success.
The brothers claim they are always pushing each other in training and when they are not going fast enough, another member of the family cycles in front of them to keep the pace going.
Brotherly love in the 1500m final as Filip & Henrik Ingebrigtsen share this special moment #ECH2016 #brothers pic.twitter.com/bwUe3raQb1
— European Athletics (@EuroAthletics) July 9, 2016
They also train at altitude in St. Moritz, Switzerland. After Amsterdam they are both returning there to continue seeking more speed and endurance for the races ahead.
The question now is whether Filip can receive a wild card to compete at the Olympics in Rio. At the moment his season’s best of 3:36.21 misses the necessary standard by 0.01. But the Norwegian Olympic committee has been even more demanding setting it at 3:35.50.
Whatever the decision taken in the coming days, Filip’s life has already changed dramatically. He has beaten his big brother and is European champion. It does not get much better than that.
Congratulating the man of the moment -European 1500m Champion Filip Ingebrigtsen - huge future ahead of him #ECH2016 pic.twitter.com/JH4hf2jDwo
— Svein Arne Hansen (@SvenPres) July 9, 2016