– Of course it’s not optimal – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcasting schedule

– It is clear that it is not optimal as things are, says Narve Gilje Nordås during Thursday’s press conference in the Scottish WC city. – We make the best of it, but it is clear that it is not optimal in any way. But that’s the way it is, says Gjert Ingebrigtsen to news and other media. The championship starts on Friday, where Nordås will hunt for a new medal, but he will once again have to do it without coach Gjert Ingebrigtsen nearby during competitions. Ingebrigtsen was not accredited for the championship by the Norwegian Athletics Federation last autumn, due to the police investigation into the conflict in the Ingebrigtsen family. It was therefore expected that Gjert Ingebrigtsen would not be visible or show up for press meetings during the championships, in the same way that he kept a low profile during the Athletics World Championships in Budapest last summer. Ten days after he was charged with bodily harm, Gjert Ingebrigtsen nevertheless appeared at Thursday’s press conference. IN PLACE: Gjert Ingebrigtsen stood by the door entrance while Narve Gilje Nordås was interviewed by the press. Photo: NTB Although Nordås is aware that it is not optimal to have a coach who is not accredited, he has faith that there can still be success such as during the WC in Budapest. At the time, Nordås took WC bronze in the 1500 metres, and he considers himself a medal candidate before the hunt for a new final starts with Friday’s test heat. – I feel that the result that came out of it was good, and that is the plan now as well. Simply play as well as you can with the cards you’ve been dealt, says Nordås. The middle-distance runner was also asked how he feels that his own needs are taken care of by the association. – Now I’m here and I’ll be standing with my starting number on my chest tomorrow. That is the most important thing for me and those frameworks are at least arranged. I can’t really ask for anything more than that. As long as it’s a championship, I can walk around freely and stand on the starting line when I have to, then that’s the way it is. That is the most important thing I do now, says Nordås. – But you’ve asked to have Gjert accredited as your trainer, haven’t you? – Yes, of course I have expressed a wish for it. I have of course done that in all championships. Photo: NTB Nordås also took the time to brag about his coach: – He is of course very important. The fact that I can just show up for training and do what I have to do saves me an awful lot of effort. Of course in everyday life, everyday in training, but not least in championships as well, he says and adds that he sees Gjert almost every single day. Gjert Ingebrigtsen believes that Nordås can do well during the indoor WC, as soon as he gets through the “klab and babb stuff” and up to the final. – But we are here primarily to get competitive training in preparation for the EC and especially the Olympics, says Gjert. PS! Narve Gilje Nordås starts the WC with an attempt at 1500 meters on news 1, Friday at 21.10. A short time later there are semi-finals in the 400 meters with the possibility of Norwegian participation if Henriette Jæger and Karsten Warholm progress from the attempt.



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