Munich. Norwegian star Jacob Ingbrigtsen, 21, has a frosty relationship to say the least with his father Geert.
Father and son are on site at the European Commission, but there is no connection between them.
According to VG, Jacob also banned Gjert from staying in the same hotel.
The Ingbrigtsen brothers have been trained by their father Geert since childhood, but in recent years their relationship has become increasingly contagious.
Despite the fact that Jakob Ingebrigtsen is here in Munich as one of the EC’s biggest stars and a gold favourite, a lot of the writing in the Norwegian press has been about the family feud rather than the sporting aspect.
Geert is in the European Commission, but now as a coach for another Norwegian runner – Narvi Gilje Nordas.
And when Jacob Ingbrigtsen was asked days ago if he would make any contact with Geert’s father during the tournament, the answer was clear: “No.”
Refuses to share hotels
VG now states that father and son Ingebrigtsen have been placed in separate hotels – at Jakob’s request.
He is said to have explicitly asked the Norwegian Federation not to allow Geert to stay in the same hotel.
– It was clear from Jacob that they would stay in their hotels. The Norwegian Football Association’s sporting director, Erlind Slovic told the newspaper he had done it a long time ago and Geert made the notes.
‘That must be respected’
The separation between Geert and sons Jacob, Philip and Henrik occurred last winter.
Jacob told the New York Times that one of the reasons they went their separate ways was based on the father’s hot temper.
– My dad gets excited by little things and can quickly turn into anger.
I have to respect that my children make their own choices. I’ve been fortunate to spend a lot of time with them, but I think everyone understands that over time there can be some friction, Father Gert told TV2 yesterday.
Jakob Ingebrigtsen runs the 5,000m final this evening – and does so as a big gold favourite.