– I think it’s a bit poor to go straight on that “oh, it’s disrespectful”, says Henrik Ingebrigtsen to news after Thursday’s Diamond League meeting in Zurich. He refers to what happened at the press conference the day before. There, the newly minted world champion at 1500 metres, Josh Kerr, was confronted with statements that Jakob Ingebrigtsen had made. DEFENDER LITTLE BROTHER: Henrik Ingebrigtsen. Photo: AP After the WC gold in the 5000 metres, Ingebrigtsen was asked if he wanted revenge after being beaten by Kerr in the 1500 metres. Then the victorious Norwegian replied: – No. He was just “the next guy”. In Norwegian: Just “the next in line”. – Did he say I was “the next guy”? – If I hadn’t run the final, he probably would have won. That’s how I see the race. Of course, if you trip and fall, someone else wins the race. He was just “the next guy”, repeated Ingebrigtsen, who even after gold in the 5000 was disappointed that illness prevented him from running up to his best in the WC. – Did he say I was “the next guy”? Kerr asked when confronted with the statement on Wednesday. This was confirmed by the journalist who had asked the question. Then Kerr pointed out that emotions can run wild in the interview zone. – He can be disrespectful to me, it’s going well, I still have the WC gold, and I’m going to be world champion for the next two years regardless of his comments, Kerr said. But then he continued: – Of course I don’t like disrespectful comments, you know I’ve worked hard to get into this position and I beat him that day. But if that’s the way he wants to go, that’s fine with me, I don’t care. – Extremely disrespectful After the press conference, Kerr explained to news that he himself had not heard the statements from Ingebrigtsen. Nevertheless, he intensified the criticism. – If he made such comments, it is extremely disrespectful, said the Briton. BEAT: Yared Nuguse replaced Josh Kerr in Zurich. Photo: AFP – He hasn’t won a major championship for a couple of years and has to respect this year’s champion. It boils down to one race this year, and I won that, he added – with reference to the fact that Jakob Ingebrigtsen also had to see himself beaten by a Briton in the WC final at his favorite distance of 1,500 meters last year. That Time by Jake Wightman. In Zurich, Kerr also had to settle for second place in the 1500 metres, beaten by Yared Nuguse. Jakob Ingebrigtsen did not run that exercise – or the 5000 metres. – Hårsart On the other hand, older brother Henrik ran. After ninth place, he confirms that he has received Wednesday’s statements from Kerr, which he therefore calls “poor”. – It is a bit painful, I think, that he is sitting on a high horse. But it will soon be like that. The easiest defense is just “oh that was rude”, says Henrik Ingebrigtsen to news. He then points out that there will be two major championships next year. However, they do not give Jakob Ingebrigtsen the opportunity to take his first WC gold in the 1500 metres. In both the EC and the Olympics, he is the defending champion over the distance.
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Called Ingebrigtsen “disrespectful” – now Kerr is called “poor” – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcasting schedule
