Double Olympic Champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen described his ordeal as a child while testifying against his father Gjert Ingebrigtsen who is also a former coach, as full of fear and manipulation, while appearing before Sandnes court in Norway. ” I was in an environment where everything was controlled and decided for” Jakob was quoted by Norwegian State Broadcaster, NRK, testifying to the court.
” My upbringing was closely tied to fear. I`ve been aware of a fear -based culture for a long time. As a teenager, it was a concept I really identified with, because I felt I had no freewill or say in anything”
Gjert who is being accused of physically abusing two of his children, Jacob included, and risks a six-year jail, on Monday pleaded not guilty to the alleged charges. NTB reported.
The 24-year-old is accusing his 59-year-old father of beating him while he was eight years old after he got a report about his behaviour in school. ” I remember being extremely scared. Now I’ve done something seriously wrong. I’m terrified of what`s going to happen” he told the court.
Ingebrigtsen also accused the father of trying to put to an end his relationship with Elizabeth Asserson, who is now his wife, while at the age of 16. ” I found it extremely difficult that someone like my own father could speak that way about Elizabeth, someone I cared about”.