Jakob Ingebrigtsen has testified in court, detailing accounts of violence and manipulation during his childhood as he gave evidence against his father, Gjert Ingebrigtsen, on Tuesday.

Gjert Ingebrigtsen, who formerly coached the double Olympic champion, has pleaded not guilty to charges of physically abusing two of his children, including Jakob, along with another individual whose identity is protected for legal reasons.

The trial, currently taking place in Sandnes, Norway, is scheduled to continue until 16 May, with the 59-year-old facing a potential six-year prison sentence if convicted.

Jakob’s Testimony: A Childhood Marked by Fear and Control

Jakob, 24, told the court that his father engaged in manipulative behaviour and subjected him to physical punishment from a young age.

He alleged that as an eight-year-old, he was struck on multiple occasions by his father, including for misbehaviour at school and for arriving late to a race.

"My upbringing was defined by fear. I have been aware of a fear-based culture for a long time," said the reigning 5,000-metre Olympic champion.

"As a teenager, this became something I strongly identified with, as I felt I had no free will or control over my own life."

Jakob further explained how he grew up in an oppressive environment, where his decisions were dictated entirely by his father:

"I lived in a situation where everything was controlled and decided for me. There was an overwhelming level of manipulation."

Prosecution’s Case: Allegations of Physical Violence

According to prosecutors, Gjert Ingebrigtsen repeatedly struck Jakob after he received a negative school report in primary school.

The Norwegian athletics star detailed several distressing incidents, recalling the fear and anxiety he experienced after being subjected to physical punishment:

"I remember feeling absolutely terrified. I knew I had done something terribly wrong. I was petrified of what was going to happen next."

Defence: Gjert Ingebrigtsen Denies All Charges

On Monday, during the opening day of the trial, Gjert Ingebrigtsen denied all allegations, as reported by Norwegian news agency NTB.

He is expected to testify next week as part of his defence.

Attempts to Control Jakob’s Personal Life

Jakob also told the court that when he met his now-wife, Elisabeth Asserson, at the age of 16, his father attempted to interfere in the relationship, fearing it would negatively impact Jakob’s athletics career.

"I found it extremely painful that my own father could speak so negatively about Elisabeth, someone I deeply cared for," he stated.

Family History and Previous Allegations

Gjert Ingebrigtsen served as coach to Jakob and his older brothers, Filip (31) and Henrik (34), both of whom have also competed at the Olympic Games, until they severed ties with him in 2022.

The Ingebrigtsen family became widely known following the release of a 2016 documentary, which depicted the rigorous and authoritarian training methods imposed by their father from a young age.

In October 2023, Jakob, Filip, and Henrik publicly accused their father of physical abuse in a joint statement.

Speaking to the Norwegian news outlet VG, the brothers revealed:

"We grew up with a father who was extremely aggressive and controlling, using physical violence and threats as part of our upbringing. Even now, we continue to carry the fear and distress that has remained with us since childhood."

Both Filip and Henrik are expected to testify against their father later in the trial.