Jakob Ingebrigtsen took an early lead in the 1500 meters in indoor EC, and followed a small group that included his biggest EC competitor, Scotland’s Neil Gourley.

The Scot caught hold of Ingebrigtsen’s tail, and as they entered the last few hundred yards Gourley gasped.

But the Norwegian immediately responded, thanks to special favors.

– It is important to be everywhere

Because those images clearly show how Ingebrigtsen kept his eyes on the big screen during the race. He also did that when it came to being decided.

– This is precisely why I can respond so quickly to the attacks I receive from the far side. It’s because I’m aware of where other people are and where I am, and what needs to be done, Ingebrigtsen told NRK.

He easily held off Gourley’s move and secured EC gold. The Scot appreciated Ingebrigtsen’s use of the wide screen.

– He’s smart with the big screen. When leading, information is useful. He has been doing this for a long time being so young, so he knows what he is doing, Gourley told NRK.

Ingebrigtsen said that the trick with the big screen was a deliberate move he had taken from previous championship finals.

– This is for using the assistive tools you have. Follow them behind and see what happens. It is important to be everywhere at the same time.

– You are smart?

– I’m always smart, laughs Ingebrigtsen, and continues to explain the fight for gold.

– Of course, it helps with experience. I’ve been in this situation a few times now. So I bring what I can from all the races I run, and then I hope that in the end I can do very well, said Ingebrigtsen, who has now won four gold medals in indoor EC.

Set championship record

This was the second straight EC gold indoors over the 1500 meters, this time with a time of 3.33.95. This is also a championship record.

– I want to thank the audience. “Hopefully it can inspire and help as much as we can,” Ingebrigtsen told the organizers with concern for the victims of the earthquake in Turkey, where the championship was being held.

When the initial shot started, he lay fully on his tail, but moved forward at short notice. That was wise, because soon after several runners fell in huge crashes in the infield. The forward maneuver ensured that Ingebrigtsen escaped the crash.

Scotsman Neil Gourley was expected to be Ingebrigtsen’s biggest competitor, and the Scot was in a small group with Ingebrigtsen, who was allowed to weed halfway.

Then Scot Gourley made a move, but Ingebrigtsen answered easily and won.

– He just jumped them here, says NRK track and field expert Vebjørn Rodal.

Last year he set the indoor world record in the 1500 meters with a time of 30/3/60. At that time, he was unable to keep up this time.

Disease disorders

The new year was marked by illness problems for Jakob Ingebrigtsen. He had to cancel his high-altitude stay in the Sierra Nevada and didn’t train properly for over a month.

This led to the entire indoor season at one point threatening to wash away, but slowly but surely Ingebrigtsen got back into shape.

Just over two weeks ago, he started the season in Lievin, France, and won in a big way. With a time of 3.32.38, he achieved the best year in the world, and occasionally sniffed his own indoor world record of 3.30.60. Halfway through the race he was ahead of schedule to take that time, but in the end he couldn’t keep up with his pace.

Nevertheless, there were signs that the body was starting to work again, and at the European Championship it was hanging on gold.