– Of course you should have respect for those who say before they do something that they should do something, and have goals and work hard towards a goal you have. At the same time, one should not pretend to be anything other than what one is, says Jakob Ingebrigtsen. Earlier this week, the relatively unknown middle-distance runner Cooper Teare included the Norwegian in a post on Instagram. “Many people may not know it (including him), but Jakob Ingebrigtsen and I have been rivals for years, and on Saturday we will meet again in Pre Classics,” wrote the American 22-year-old. Photo: Screenshot Instagram He attached a photo from the U20 WC in 2018, where the one year younger Norwegian took silver. Teare was number 10. Created discussions And it did not take long before Jakob Ingebrigtsen commented on the post. “I would not call that race a rival, but I look forward to Pre.” The Post has received over 200 comments, and the discussions have also taken place on various running forums in, among other places, the USA. Some laugh, others actually think they are almost arguing. The day before the two meet again for the first time, in the Diamond League tournament in Eugene, Ingebrigtsen elaborates on the comment to NRK. – Me and Cheruiyot and the others who have been in the circus for many years are rivals. You can not use that term if you have not competed before, but that does not mean that you are not able to fight for the best positions. – Do you think he became too apple-cheeked? – It may be a misuse of words, and it’s not really that careful, but I bet for all their part that everyone runs fast here. It’s a little nice for everyone, including myself that there are more people running fast, the 21-year-old answers. – He put me in place Teare puts in his first Diamond League race, but has impressed many this season with a time of 3.34.81 in 1500 meters and 3.50.17 in the English mile. He emphasizes that it was all meant as a joke. – He probably took me almost again with a round in the race the picture is from, but people took the post quite seriously and it has created a bit of “hype” no matter what happens. It (the race) will be fun and more people will follow now, says Teare, who has studied in Eugene and has Hayward Field as his home ground. GREAT TALENT: Cooper Teare. Photo: Hanne Skjellum / NRK – What do you think about the answer you got? – I liked it. He put me in place, and rightfully so as an Olympic champion should do. I love it and we have a good competitive instinct here, so it will be fun to get on the starting line. – Did you put him in place, Jakob? – No, but think it might be wrong to use others to promote themselves, but them about it. There is a star-studded field on the Bowerman Mile on Saturday night Norwegian time. Both Timothy Cheruiyot and Abel Kipsang are in place in the World Cup city, in addition to the brothers Jakob and Filip Ingebrigtsen and several American stars. The Sandnes runner just thinks it’s fun that there are discussions ahead of the competitions, and agrees that it creates a little extra excitement. READY: Jakob and Filip Ingebrigtsen got to train alone at Hayward Field on Friday morning. Saturday opens both seasons in the Diamond League. Photo: Hanne Skjellum / NRK – The nice thing about running is that it is so measurable, so you can say what you want. It does not have to have any roots in reality, but if you have the results to back it up, it is suddenly something else, says Ingebrigtsen. – Is there any chance that you will be beaten by Cooper Teare? – No, I do not think so, he answers and smiles. – I’m not afraid of anyone. Watch Diamond League from Eugene on NRK1 on Saturday at 22.00. The Bowerman Mile runs 23.39.
ttn-69
