Staff Shortages and Security Concerns Arise as Norwegian Coach Faces Abuse Charges Ahead of World Cup and Olympics

Former Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva has raised concerns about staff shortages and security issues ahead of the upcoming FIFA World Cup in Qatar in 2026 and the Summer Olympics that will be hosted by Paris in France later this year. In contrast, controversy surrounding a prominent Norwegian sports family involving Gjert Ingebrigtsen, father to Olympic champion runner Jakob Ingebrigtsen, has escalated as he was charged with abusing one of his other children following an investigation launched after accusations made by three of his sons. The charges against the elder Ingebrigtsen reportedly include physical and mental abuse towards another child during a four-year period that involved threats, coercion, and hitting them with wet towels on at least one occasion. However, Terese Braut Våge, head of police in southeastern Norway, revealed that cases involving five other alleged victims had been dismissed due to insufficient evidence or statute of limitations issues. Gjert Ingebrigtsen’s lawyer John Christian Elden stated his client “disagrees with the presentation of events” and denies criminal guilt regarding these charges. The family gained recognition through a documentary series that aired from 2016 to early last year before the brothers accused their father of being violent, controlling, and abusive during childhoods. These accusations led three sons – including Jakob Ingebrigtsen – to cut ties with Gjert Ingebrigtsen after he allegedly exhibited similar behavior towards another person two years ago. The elder Ingebrigsten had been recognized as Norway’s top coach in 2018 following a successful year for his sons, all of whom won medals at major events that same year. However, the head of the Norwegian sports overseeing organization stated that he would not be part of the Norwegian staff during this summer’s Paris Games due to these recent developments. Additionally, Gjert Ingebrigtsen was denied accreditation for next year’s world championships in Budapest where Jakob won gold at the 5000 meters event last year.