Norwegian runner Narve Gilje Nordås has initiated a move toward reconciliation with the Ingebrigtsen brothers, seeking to mend long-standing tensions following his professional separation from their former coach, Gjert Ingebrigtsen. As the athletes prepare for the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham, both parties have expressed a desire for a more unified training environment, according to reports from Nettavisen, NRK, and Aftenposten.
The Path to Reconciliation and Shared Training
Narve Gilje Nordås confirmed his interest in mending relationships after a positive encounter with Filip Ingebrigtsen during the Norwegian Championships. “I hope it continues like that, and that we can build a slightly better tone in the team,” Filip Ingebrigtsen told Nettavisen. He added that the ideal scenario would be for the athletes to be more gathered as a team and potentially share training sessions again.
Nordås echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that there are no inherent restrictions on his part regarding future collaboration. According to his comments to Nettavisen, he believes it is an advantage to train with peers at a similar, high level. While he noted that each athlete currently follows a program tailored to their specific needs, he remains open to the possibility of integrating training efforts where synergies exist.
The Shift After the Split from Gjert Ingebrigtsen
The move toward reconciliation comes roughly three weeks after Nordås officially parted ways with Gjert Ingebrigtsen, a partnership that had been under significant scrutiny since the Ingebrigtsen brothers severed ties with their father in 2023. Nordås described the decision as a mutual recognition that their long-term professional relationship had become unsustainable.
“It cost more than it gave,” Nordås told NRK, describing the strain of high-performance athletics when the joy and results are no longer aligned. He explained to Aftenposten that the “total burden” of the situation, including the ongoing noise surrounding his former coach’s lack of accreditation at major championships, made it difficult to maintain focus. According to Nordås, the decision to end the collaboration was his own initiative, but it was received constructively by Gjert Ingebrigtsen.
New Coaching Dynamics and Future Outlook
Following the split, Nordås has transitioned to working with his training partner, Per Svela. While Svela expressed support for a better relationship between the athletes, he remains cautious about immediate changes to their training structure. “In the first instance, I think we should focus a little on ourselves, given that it is a new everyday life,” Svela told Nettavisen.
Svela did not rule out future cooperation, noting that if the groups can identify clear performance benefits, they are open to shared sessions. However, he emphasized that any long-term arrangement must be mutually beneficial. Currently, both “Team Ingebrigtsen” and “Team Nordås” are based in Sandnes, keeping the logistics of potential future collaboration geographically feasible.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why did Narve Gilje Nordås stop training with Gjert Ingebrigtsen?
According to Nordås, the partnership became too demanding, stating that it “cost more than it gave” due to a lack of results and the ongoing public noise surrounding his former coach. - Are the Ingebrigtsen brothers and Nordås training together now?
No. While both sides have expressed interest in a better relationship, they are currently maintaining their own separate, tailored training programs. - What is the next step for Narve Gilje Nordås?
Nordås is currently competing at the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham, with his 1500-meter heat scheduled for Friday.
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