In a room with around 100 people from the international media, Jakob Ingebrigtsen sat next to his supposedly biggest competitor in the Diamond League final and handed out tips from the stage. When there was talk of what speed was going to be set and the American record came on the table, both the athletes on stage and the hall lit up. – If the race goes anywhere near as fast as in the Diamond League – then I can take it, says Yared Nuguse, who has won 1500 meters from London and Zurich this season. – What do you mean by “race”? If the race ends so quickly? asks Jakob Ingebrigtsen. – It’s a question of how fast the competitors and pacers run. It’s going to go fast, maybe 3.46 high. So I’ll go for it and see what I can run. I ran 3.47 indoors, so I hope I can do it a little faster, says Nuguse. – Just stay close to me as long as you can, and we’ll get you under the 46s, says Ingebrigtsen with a twinkle in his eye. Alan Webb’s American record is 3.46.91. “A nice suggestion” The hall was immediately filled with an echo of laughter. Nuguse tugged at his smile. He is the one who has been closest to Ingebrigtsen the most times in this year’s Diamond League. Twice he has been second. In the Norwegian’s absence, he has won twice. When news asked what he thought of the “council”, he answered with a certain dose of irony. – I wouldn’t call it advice, but rather a nice suggestion. That’s technically how all the races go. If it does, great. If it doesn’t, great. I am ready for all scenarios and ready to win. WINNER: Yared Nuguse won in Zurich. Then Jakob Ingebrigtsen did not start. Photo: Ennio Leanza / AP Nuguse aims to break the American record and to win. – Those are the goals. If I manage both: Great. If I manage one: Good. I always start with the belief that I can beat him, replies Nuguse with reference to the Norwegian. World champion Josh Kerr is still the only competitor to have beaten Ingebrigtsen in a race of importance in 2023. The Norwegian explains the little jab like this: – I think it’s humour. “It will be an exciting race. We’re going to mix it up” or whatever they call it. But if I want to run fast, I lie down on the hares and ask for a fast speed. Then it’s up to them to hang on as long as they can. That’s how the races have been this summer. You have to say it like it is, says Ingebrigtsen to news. Rejects new record attempt He has a personal best of 3.46.46 in one English mile. Steve Cram holds the European record of 3.46.32. The output speed aims to lower it. The hare must have been told to run the first 800 meters in 1.51.50 minutes. There is a schedule for a speed in the middle of the 3.44s. Worth noting is that Hicham El Guerrouj’s world record opened at 1.51.8 in the first 800 metres. It reads 3.43,13. However, Ingebrigtsen denies that it is a world record attempt. – No, it’s probably not that, says the Sandnes boy, who this season has set world records for two English miles and 2000 metres. – Hayward field is a difficult course, when there are 300 meters left there is always a headwind. So it depends, we have to be lucky for a couple of rounds. If not, we have a good run. I think you have to run fast to win here. Jakob Ingebrigtsen ends the season with the Diamond League in Eugene. He runs one English mile on Saturday at 22.50 and finishes with 3000 meters on Sunday at 22.17. news broadcasts the races.
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