Disappointed that Ingebrigtsen and Warholm to step down – NRK Sport – Sports news, results and broadcast schedule

– As a congress organizer, I am of course disappointed. We have made deals with them and they are big stars, especially here in Europe. It is therefore a disappointment both for me and for the public, confides Cédric van Branteghem to NRK.

Last Friday he was informed that Olympic 1,500-meter champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen would not appear at the “Memorial van Dame” conference on Friday this week.

– I warned he wasn’t going there. It is sad for the convention and the organizer, but the reality is like that, explained to NRK the agent of Ingebrigtsen, Daniel Wessfeldt.

The 20-year-old from Sandnes had won the 3,000 meters in Lausanne the day before, his fourth victory in five Diamond League starts this year.

Understanding the disappointment

– He feels much more tired than he expected when we set up the program. Although he won in Lausanne, he feels he is losing physical speed, explained Wessfeldt.

Wessfeldt points out that he has a great understanding of the disappointment of the organizers, but stresses that the physical condition of the athletes matters most.

Unlike Jakob Ingebrigtsen, Karsten Warholm did not have a good day in Lausanne, where he tried his hand at the 400 meter flat. He still left a little more time before deciding to abandon the competition in Belgium, but on Tuesday came the confirmation that the best in the world in the 400-meter hurdles will not be on the starting line either.

– There is no drama in there, he just needs a little more time to be ready for the competition, told NRK mother and manager Kristine Haddal.

– Believe in the explanation

Ingebrigtsen and Warholm are saving for the Diamond League final in Zurich on Wednesday and Thursday next week. Warholm won the diamond in the 400m hurdles in 2019, while Jakob Ingebrigtsen is looking for his first final triumph in the most prestigious series of competitions.

Event director Branreghem also stresses that he respects the decision made by the two Norwegian stars.

– I myself have been a practitioner, and I believe in the explanation that they are tired. We hope they have good reasons not to come, he says.

He therefore does not accuse them of breach of contract.

– As a convention director, I also know that this is part of everyday life, there is always someone who has to change plans. But of course we are disappointed that they will not show up in Brussels, confides Cédric van Branteghem to NRK.

Karoline Bjerkeli Grøvdal thus becomes the only Norwegian athlete in Brussels. She will run 5,000 meters in the competition which is broadcast on NRK2 from kl. 8:00 p.m. Friday evening.