– Henrik will leave the team. It had been a long time since he reached the existing criteria. Together with the other two, Sondre Nordstad Moen and Martin Roe, who are on the list, we are trying to facilitate their follow-up, prominent sports official Håvard Tjørhom told NRK.
On Tuesday, the 2023 national team was presented by the Norwegian Athletic Federation. There, six new runners were introduced, while the three runners mentioned above left the team.
– He’s long distance now. It’s been a while since he’s had a result, but we know he’s good for what he is. Therefore, we will give him a follow-up and a chance to show what he is capable of, sports manager Erlend Slokvik told NRK.
Henrik Ingebrigtsen struggled with injuries throughout the season and did not meet the criteria to be a runner for the national team. Jakob is in an interview with Television 2 it was very clear that “all or nothing” prevailed, but on Monday they agreed to a compromise.
– Unique skills
The role means oldest running brother Ingebrigtsen will continue to have a coordinating role for the brothers next season, at the same time he continues his running endeavors.
– He will coordinate a bit for the three boys and be a liaison with the association, so that Henrik will be in touch when we have to give messages or clarify things with Jakob and Filip, says sports manager Erlend Slokvik.
Håvard Tjørhom, the association’s new top sports manager, said it was important to chart what the brothers envisioned in terms of further investment.
– They have unique skills and experiences, so it’s important to see how we can further use them, Tjørhom told NRK, not ruling out that older siblings can make a good impact from the “outsider” role:
– Henrik is one of the fiercest competitive thinkers. He has some ability to bring out the capacity that lives within him and beyond but that is a small question mark considering he has struggled with a few things.
STILL IN THE BISLETT GAME: Henrik Ingebrigtsen ran in a time of 13:48.89 during the Bislett Games in June. He struggled with injuries and was unable to come close to qualifying for EC or WC.
Photo: Stian Lysberg Solum/NTB
Six new arrivals
As well as Henrik Ingebrigtsen taking on the new role, six new athletes have been given their place in the national team:
- Markus Rooth, decathlon
- Sander Aae Scotland, decathlon
- Skjalg Kongssund, 1500 meters para
- Jacob Boutera, 3000 meter horse race
- Henrik Flatnes, long
- Pål Haugen Lillefosse, pole vault
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