Down and Out? Jakob Ingebrigtsen Facing Prospect of Missing 2026 Season After Setback

Two-time Olympic champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen has undergone surgery in the United States for a persistent Achilles issue, but reassured fans that the situation "is not as bad as it seems."

While recovery from major Achilles operations can extend up to 10 months, the 25-year-old Norwegian star outlined a shorter rehabilitation plan. Speaking on his YouTube channel, he indicated a recovery timeline spanning the "next couple of months."

Ingebrigtsen revealed the injury to his left Achilles first occurred last April. Despite the setback, he pushed through to compete at the World Championships in September, where he ultimately left without a medal. The injury flared up again in January, making surgery "100% necessary."

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The procedure was performed to remove scar tissue from the paratenon, the protective sheath surrounding the Achilles tendon. "This is of course not something to be taken lightly but absolutely the right thing for the longevity of my career," Ingebrigtsen wrote on Instagram, sharing a photo of himself in a wheelchair with a protective boot.

"The surgery went very smoothly and I'm relieved to have a clear path of recovery back to the start line after many months of uncertainty," he added.

The middle-distance runner, who won 1500m gold at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics and the 5,000m title at the 2024 Paris Games, had a disappointing showing at the 2025 World Championships. He failed to qualify for the 1500m final and finished 10th in the 5,000m.

Clarifying the nature of the operation, Ingebrigtsen explained that the tendon itself was healthy. "My Achilles tendon is absolutely fine and has been for many months—it is the sheath around it that has been causing the issue," he said. "The sheath has been ruined and covered in scar tissue, which is what we have gone in and removed."

He concluded on an optimistic note, stating, "The surgery by itself is not that big, which is why the recovery time is somewhat short. Hopefully I am not going to be out for very long but it is necessary for me to be healthy again. So don't be concerned."

The European Championships are scheduled to take place in Birmingham this August, a potential target for the Norwegian's return to competition