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Jakob Ingebrigtsen: ‘My race plan will depend on a lot of factors’
Jakob Ingebrigtsen: ‘My race plan will depend on a lot of factors’
Fri Sep 13 2024

Brussels 

 

Jakob Ingebrigtsen is chasing the overall Wanda Diamond League win in the 1,500 metres on Friday night's Allianz Memorial Van Damme, but he is keeping his tactics close to his chest.

My race plan will depend on a lot of factors. And even during the race that plan can change," said the Norwegian at a pre-race press conference on Thursday.

Ingebrigtsen, who ran a 2,000 metres world record at last year's Allianz Memorial Van Damme, will battle against two American who recently managed to beat him.

Cole Hocker won Olympic gold in Paris, while Yared Nuguse defeated Ingebrigtsen at last week's Wanda Diamond League meet in Zurich.

“I feel good and I'm looking forward to fighting against a strong field tomorrow," said Ingebrigtsen, who finished off the podium in fourth place in Paris' 1500 metres, but struck back by claiming gold in the 5000 metres. “It's always nice when there's something extra at stake in a race, like the Wanda Diamond League's diamond trophy."

Will Ingebrigtsen need a fast race to grind down his competitors? He doesn't seem to think so.

“No, the pace doesn't matter tomorrow. You have to take into account a lot of factors. If there's a lot of wind it's not smart to take the lead early. You have to make the right decisions in the race.

"So, it doesn't make sense to talk about a world record. Of course, I want to break it, and not just in the 1,500 metres. But that depends on the weather conditions, the form of the day, the pacers, splits, the moment of the season...

"The world record has been standing for so long [Hicham El Guerrouj, 3:26.00, 1998]. It's a really strong record. It's not impossible to beat it, but very difficult. Statistically speaking, the chance that it happens tomorrow is much smaller than if it doesn't.” (Allianz Memorial Van Damme)