– It is a compact championship. It is important to recover now and not spend a lot of energy on all the noise around. It costs a lot mentally and physically, so he has to save his energy, Henrik Ingebrigtsen answers to news about his little brother’s choice. – Isn’t it a little strange not to talk to the Norwegian press after a European Championship gold? – Yes, but we collect all questions at the end. When he gets two medals, then he can talk, says Henrik Ingebrigtsen. Because it was only the one interview with news right after the finish that was given to the Norwegian press after the superb EC gold in the 5000 metres. Some international licensees also got a piece of the athletics star. But in the press zone he walked purposefully past everything from the Norwegian press. RIGHT IN THE CAR: Jakob Ingebrigtsen got into the car that took him to the medal ceremony. He sits at the back on the right. Photo: Fredrik Tombra / news – Morten Olsen, who is head of communications for the athletics association, was a little surprised that Ingebrigtsen did not appear in front of the press. – He just says that he doesn’t want to talk to the media. It came as a surprise to me actually, I thought he was going to talk to the media now. There are some things we have to deal with afterwards, says Olsen to news. – You don’t know why he doesn’t want to speak to the press? – He just says that he doesn’t want to talk to the media. You see this came as a bit of a surprise to me too. Receives criticism from news commentator When Jakob Ingebrigtsen had been awarded the medal, he briefly answered a question from Aftenposten about whether he would comment on the EC gold: – No, thank you. It goes well. – Is it to be as well prepared as possible that you don’t want to talk? asked news. – You can say that. Because there is less than two days until Ingebrigtsen will defend another EC gold – this time at her favorite distance of 1500 metres. The Norwegian press corps tried several times to ask him questions, but he was uninterested. Big brother Henrik Ingebrigtsen, however, expects his brother to make time for the media after Thursday’s 1,500 meter final. – He is quite talkative if he goes on a rampage too. But this was the plan. It may seem a bit cynical and troublesome for the media, but I think that when Jakob doesn’t want to talk to the media, you have to respect that, says Ingebrigtsen. EC gold: Jakob Ingebrigtsen took his second EC gold in the 5000 metres. Photo: Javad Parsa / NTB news’s commentator Jan Petter Saltvedt is not impressed that he did not meet the press after the EC gold. He admits that the EC program is not beneficial, but that one should expect more from him. – After all, it is more important that people get the full experience of his fantastic achievements, and that means that he talks to the press. It’s part of his job. It is a bit arrogant to invent his own rules according to what suits him. He is unique, but he is not in a special position, Saltvedt believes. CRITICAL: Jan Petter Saltvedt reacts to Jakob Ingebrigtsen’s behaviour. Photo: ALEM ZEBIZ Big brother explains the reason Dropping the press zone was agreed between Henrik and Jakob Ingebrigtsen. – I am involved in trying to reduce noise and energy loss, so that was one thing we talked about. So far, I think he has benefited from it, says the former. He also explains that it is a mental and psychological burden. – Actually, Jakob would have gone straight from the finish line to bed with a burger in his lap. It was a late night, but luckily he peed on command in the doping control. It’s good, so it shows we’ve hit with hydration. It also has to work, he says. Jakob Ingebrigtsen has previously said that he considers himself an introvert, while older brother Henrik is considered the more talkative type. When asked if it costs more effort for Jakob to appear for interviews, he replies: – It is difficult to say, because I have not been given the same focus. If Jakob lies a little crooked in bed, then it makes headlines the next day. It’s something he can’t get his head around. People say it’s fun, but when you get it, it becomes a problem. You have cases of people who don’t deal with it, even if they want to. In controlled forms it is good, but you have to set some limits. If Jakob Ingebrigtsen takes EC gold in the 1500 metres, it will be his fourth EC gold outdoors. He also has Olympic gold in the 1500 meters and WC gold in the 5000 meters.
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