Experts scold

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Jakob Ingebrigtsen is one of the favorites for Olympic gold in the 1500 meters.(Bild: AP/ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Although Jakob Ingebrigtsen is one of the strongest track and field athletes in the world, the Norwegian is also said to be very arrogant. For example by the ARD commentators Ralf Scholt and Wilfried Hark.

Background: While his opponents in the 1500-metre preliminary race got into running position before the start, Ingebrigtsen remained upright, "provocatively casual" according to Scholt. The 60-year-old also disliked the fact that the Olympic champion from Tokyo first watched the action from behind before catching up again. 

Jogging in the morning?
"Is that arrogance?" he asked Hark, who replied in the affirmative. "That's completely arrogant! That's exactly what the critics accuse him of. He's behaving as if he's going for a morning jog and is setting his opponents up to suit him," was the commentator's verdict.

Ingebrigtsen easily made it through to the semi-finals, from where he progressed to the final on Sunday evening. "He is an outstanding skater and masters everything. Nevertheless, you don't need to humiliate your competitors, I don't think that's good," says Scholt, despite all the enthusiasm for the 23-year-old.