"He is known as the Brit who never competes" - Jakob Ingebrigtsen takes a dig at Josh Kerr ahead of 1500m final at Paris Olympics 2024

Jakob Ingebrigtsen, the 1500m world record holder, remarked that his British rival Josh Kerr doesn't compete in enough 1500m races like he does. In 2024, Kerr has set the two mile indoor world record, ran the Bowerman Mile, 800m, and 3000m, but hadn't race in the 1500m ahead of the Paris Olympics.

The rivalry between Jakob Ingebrigtsen and Josh Kerr has thickened over the past few months, especially since the latter's win over the former in the 1500m at the 2023 World Championships. After the race, when the world record holder was asked whether he would seek revenge, he called Kerr just 'the next guy'. (via CITIUS Mag)

Later in 2023, Josh Kerr also issued a response at Ingebrigtsen, saying that he doesn't 'win a lot of non-paced races,' but he would fail to admit that because of his ego. At the 2024 Millrose Games, when Kerr lowered Mo Farah's two-mile world record in 8:00.67, Ingebrigtsen remarked that he 'would have beaten him in that race, blindfolded'. (via CITIUS Mag).

Ahead of the highly contentious 1500m race at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Ingebrigtsen shared that Kerr can't be called his 'rival' since he didn't enter in any 1500m races in the Olympic year, unlike him.

"It is difficult to refer to him as a rival when he is never there. He is known as the Brit who never competes. I try to enter as many races as I can and I want to be here to entertain. It's great to be part of this," said Jakob Ingebrigtsen (via NTB).

He added:

"He must show up! If I could have competed every day for the rest of my life, I would have done it."

Jakob Ingebrigtsen won the 1500m at the Oslo Diamond League and European Athletics Championships, with times of 3:29.74 and 3:31.95, respectively. He also ran in a time of 3:26.73 at the Monaco Diamond League.

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Jakob Ingebrigtsen - "Only a matter of time before I run a world record"

Ingebrigtsen's Monaco Diamond League time not only set the world lead but also marked the sixth-fastest time in history. In an interview with CITIUS Mag, he shared that his goal was to break the world record.

"I never know a 100% where I am at physically. Of course, you have a gut feeling and I felt strong, but it's all about personal improvement, getting a couple tenths, half a second - and if I can do that consistently, there's only a matter of time before I run a world record," said the Norwegian.

Both Kerr and Ingebrigtsen have qualified for the 1500m semifinals at the Paris Olympics after clocking stellar times in their respective heats.