Jakob Ingebrigtsen Withdraws from Diamond League Amid Injury Concerns

Olympic champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen will miss the upcoming Diamond League meetings in Poland and Belgium as he recovers from an Achilles injury. The 24-year-old Norwegian was scheduled to compete in the 1,500 metres in Brussels on August 22 and at the Silesia meeting in Poland on August 16. Ingebrigtsen’s participation in these events has been anticipated since he was announced as a competitor last December.

Ingebrigtsen has faced ongoing challenges due to his injury, which has hindered his ability to compete in recent months. He withdrew from both the Ostrava Golden Spike and the Oslo Bislett Games in June. His spokesperson, Espen Skoland, spoke to Norwegian TV2, stating, “He is still working on getting rid of the injury he has sustained to an Achilles. Unfortunately, he would very much have liked to be able to participate.”

Despite these setbacks, Ingebrigtsen has been training in St. Moritz, where his team reports he is making steady progress. While no specific timeline for his return to competition has been provided, he aims to compete at the World Athletics Championships beginning on September 13, 2023, in Tokyo. His absence from the Diamond League meetings raises questions about his readiness for the championships.

Ingebrigtsen, the reigning champion in the 5,000 metres, has already secured his spot in that event. He also qualified for the 1,500 metres with a time of 3:27.83 at last year’s Lausanne Diamond League. In March, he showcased his talent by winning gold in both the 1,500 metres and the 3,000 metres at the World Indoor Championships. Despite his earlier successes, his recent injury could jeopardize his chances at defending his titles in Tokyo.

The World Championships will feature other prominent athletes, including Noah Lyles, Armando Duplantis, and Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, all competing for global titles at the National Stadium. As Ingebrigtsen continues his recovery, the athletics world will be closely monitoring his progress and potential return to the track.