Athletics | “I don’t know what happened” – Jakob Ingebrigtsen suddenly became friends with his partner in the dispute

Norwegian star runner Jakob Ingebrigtsen surprised Eugene’s rival with his behavior in the Diamond League By Josh Kerr with.

Ingebrigtsen has been at odds with her British challenger in recent months.

At the weekend, however, they seemed to be in good spirits when they met each other backstage after the mile, or about 1,600 meter race.

Ingebrigtsen was sidelined for four months due to injury and now returned to compete straight from the high-altitude camp.

The first duel of the season in the Diamond League went to Kerr with the season’s top time of 3:45.34, but at the finish the two showed respect to each other.

After the race, Kerr gave Ingebrigtsen a warm pat on the shoulder.

“It’s funny how we are suddenly best friends, even though a couple of months ago we were against each other. I don’t know what happened,” Ingebrigtsen grinned for NRK.

The duo started bubbling up at last August’s World Championships in Budapest.

At that time, Kerr managed to win gold in the 1,500 meters, narrowly defeating Ingebrigtsen, who was suffering from an illness, in the final stretch.

After later winning gold in the 5,000m, Ingebrigtsen was asked if she would seek revenge against Kerr in the Diamond League. The Norwegian dismissed the idea and belittled the Briton. He implied that Kerr only won because of his own poor condition.

In Eugene, the competitors bumped into each other while still in the locker room and happily chatted with each other. Ingebrigtsen was asked if she has become friends with Kerr.

Jakob Ingebrigtsen thanked the audience after the race. Picture: Kirby Lee/Reuters

“In a way it’s… I don’t know at all. Honestly, I have no idea what happened in the winter. He has to answer that himself,” said the 23-year-old Norwegian.

Winter with events, Ingebrigtsen refers to Kerr’s comments at the end of the year.

In November, he teased that Ingebrigtsen doesn’t often win competitions if they don’t involve hares. He said the Norwegian has a huge ego and believed Ingebrigtsen was surrounded by suitors.

Josh Kerr arrived at the finish as the winner. Picture: Kirby Lee/Reuters

Kerr also said that Ingebrigtsen has great weaknesses as a runner and said that his relationship with the Norwegian was “miserable”.

Ingebrigtsen took the statements in stride and reminded that not everyone is best friends with each other.

In May, however, he shot himself that some of his competitors are “shitbags and idiots”. Ingebrigtsen did not name names, but many linked the statement to Kerr.

“I think the media has been vocal about it, and some things have been presented out of context,” Kerr said.

“My nature is what it is, and I will be a tough opponent on the track, but at the same time I will shake my opponent’s hand after the races.”

The next time the rivals will meet is likely to be in Oslo’s Diamond League on May 30.