Defender in coaching role Gjert Ingebrigtsen: Must stay at the back
While awaiting trial, Gjert Ingebrigtsen intends to continue as a coach for the athletes he now helps, including Narve Gilje Nordås.
The athletic trainer was accused of abuse in a close relationship. The indictment includes matters relating to one of the athletic profile’s children. He pleaded not guilty.
Heidi Reisvang from Elden Advokatfirma, who defended Ingebrigtsen, said the athletic trainer would continue to coach in the future.
– As long as the athletes come out and feel that this collaboration is more positive than negative, and they want him as a coach, he will continue to coach them, Reisvang told NTB.
He added that Ingebrigtsen would behave in a way that was best for the athletes regarding competitions and conventions and was “mostly in the background.”
– He hopes that as long as he remains behind the scenes, the media will respect him and not look for him or persecute his family, he added.
When asked by NTB, Reisvang would not elaborate on what was involved in hiding the coach’s profile, but said:
– During the convention in Spain (editor’s note this week), he didn’t seek attention, but stayed away. He wants the media now not to disturb him and his family, respect this and not look for them as they have done so far.
When asked directly whether Ingebrigtsen had considered retiring as a coach, the lawyer replied:
– No, except the starting point that I have thought about changes.
It is already known that Ingebrigtsen will not receive coaching accreditation for this summer’s two major championships, the EC and the Olympics. (NTB)
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