Jakob Ingebrigtsen, at just 23 years old, added another remarkable chapter to his legacy at the European Athletics Championships by clinching his third consecutive double in the 1500m and 5000m events. This achievement makes him the first man ever to accumulate six individual gold medals in European Championship history.
Ingebrigtsen burst onto the scene at the age of 17 with a dual triumph at the Berlin 2018 European Athletics Championships, and he has since maintained an impressive track record. At the Roma 2024 championships, he set a new championship record in the men’s 1500m, finishing with a time of 3:31.95.
The Norwegian, also an Olympic champion, demonstrated his readiness to defend his title in Paris this summer. Despite facing stiff competition, including strong challenges from British runners in previous world 1500m finals, Ingebrigtsen showed his tactical acumen and speed on the final bend in Rome, surging ahead and securing victory with a comfortable 10-meter lead.
While Ingebrigtsen claimed the spotlight, the race behind him was a frantic battle for the minor medals. Neil Gourley, initially in contention, slipped to ninth place, allowing Belgium’s Jochem Vermeulen to seize a surprising silver with a personal best of 3:33.30. The bronze went to Italy’s Pietro Arese, who crossed the line in 3:33.34, visibly overwhelmed by his achievement.
Reflecting on his performance, Ingebrigtsen expressed satisfaction with his championship outing despite limited race opportunities leading up to the event. His confidence and strategic execution underscored his dominance on the track, solidifying his status as a leading figure in middle-distance running.
