Four-time European Athletics Championships gold medallist Jakob Ingebrigtsen has revealed his intent to add to his already-impressive medal haul in Rome this summer.
Talking with Norwegian broadcaster NRK, he said: "Plan A is to start the season in Eugene (Diamond League, 25 May), run Bislett Games (Diamond League, 30 May), the European Championships in Rome (7-12 June), Norwegian Championships in Sandnes (28 June) - then maybe Monaco (Diamond League, 12 July).
“I think that will work well this year. And then full focus on the Olympics after that, so most likely a good season in the late summer.”
The Olympic 1500m champion and twice world 5000m gold medallist Ingebrigtsen is a prolific winner on all surfaces, but he chose to miss the SPAR European Cross Country Championships and World Athletics Indoor Championships this winter to focus on rehabilitating foot and Achilles injuries ahead of a massive summer.
British rivalry set to run
One of the major storylines of the season is set to be the Norwegian renewing his rivalry with British runners Jake Wightman and Josh Kerr, who snatched 1500m gold from him at successive World Athletics Championships in 2022 and 2023 respectively.
Kerr has stirred the pot in the British media and recently said: “I have a lot of respect for him (Ingebrigtsen) as an Olympic champion and the work he puts in, but I just don't have respect for how he treats other athletes after races.”
The Scot added: “I’ve said it multiple times: he’s very dedicated and he’s amazing at our sport. He also wants to be the best in the world and so I do, and that’s going to make us clash 10 times out of 10.
“I’ll always have respect for his performances. I was merely pointing out that he has flaws, and I don’t think he knew that. Myself and Jake Wightman have shown where those flaws are.
“And I think he has some flaws in the manners realm as well. I’m not saying I’m a better time-trialer than him, because I don’t know if I am. But I think come championship day, I am the best athlete in the world.”
In response, Ingebrigtsen told NRK: “I haven't spent that many calories on that. It is clear, I am a person who drives a, call it, occasionally a relentless and uncompromising commitment to trying to be as good as I can and the best in the world in my sport.”
It all points to an intriguing summer with Rome and Paris most likely to serve up some dramatic season – and perhaps career-defining – moments.
Chris Broadbent for European Athletics