Ingebrigtsen delivers in front of home crowd as Ethiopians thrill in 5000m
Jacob Ingebrigtsen returned to winning ways in Oslo at the Bislett Gmes, further stoking the excitement ahead of the hotly anticipated Olympic 1500m in Paris. Fans were treated to a throwback to 2021, as Ingebrigtsen and Timothy Cheruiyot dueled over the last 100m, with Ingebrigtsen’s dive for the line sneaking him in front of his old rival. It was a welcome return to form for Cheruiyot, who has failed to challenge at the very top level since that 2021 Olympic Final, but impressive times for both does muddy the waters further in the betting for Paris.
"Every day I feel better and better. And defending the titles at the Europeans and Olympics? I think yes."
Ingebrigtsen himself was in bullish mood following his victory. "Every day I feel better and better. And defending the titles at the Europeans and Olympics? I think yes." He told reporters. However, it remains to be seen whether he is on a curve of improvement following an injury-disrupted winter that can see him overhaul reigning world champion Josh Kerr this summer, or whether he would have struggled had Kerr and Yared Nuguse been in attendance.
More intrigue into whether Ingebrigtsen’s goal of a 1500m and 5000m double at the Olympics is achievable was provided by a stacked men’s field in the 5000m here. Ethiopia's Hagos Gebrhiwet got the better of his countrymate Yomif Kejelcha and Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo, only narrowly missing the world record with a stunning time of 12:36.73. The fact that thirteen men broke 13 minutes in the race suggests that winning 5000m gold will be anything but easy for Ingebrigtsen, even if he has looked dominant in the event at the last two world championships.
Elsewhere, Australian distance running had plenty to cheer as Georgia Griffith set a new national record while winning the 3000m in a time of 8:24.20, with compatriot and former record holder Jessica Hull coming in third. Matt Hudson-Smith also took one step closer to becoming the first European to break the 44 second barrier in the 400m, as he ran 44.07 for the win, marking him as a real contender for a medal in Paris. But the night was all about Ingebrigtsen, as the Norwegian crowd were given reason to dream of a golden summer amid a night of fast times at every distance.
Men’s 1500m Results
1. Jakob Ingebrigtsen (NOR) - 3:29.74 WL
2. Timothy Cheruiyot (KEN) - 3:29.77 SB
3. Azeddine Habz (FRA) - 3:30.80 SB
4. Isaac Nader (POR) - 3:30.84 PB
5. Elliot Giles (GBR) - 3:31.06 SB
6. Oliver Hoare (AUS) - 3:31.08 SB
7. George Mills (GBR) - 3:31.57 SB
8. Pietro Arese (ITA) - 3:32.13 NR PB
9. Robert Farken (GER) - 3:32.20 SB
10. Andrew Coscoran (IRL) - 3:32.68 SB
11. Adel Mechaal (ESP) - 3:33.21 SB
12. Ryan Mphahlele (RSA) - 3:33.85
13. Narve Gilje Nordås (NOR) - 3:34.86