It’s no secret that Norwegian distance running star Jakob Ingebrigtsen is on a mission to etch his name into the history books by setting as many world records as possible in his career. On Thursday, rumours began swirling on social media that Ingebrigtsen was competing at the Copenhagen Half Marathon on Sunday, marking what would be his debut at the distance. Should he decide to race, the world record of 57 minutes and 31 seconds could be in jeopardy.
On the Copenhagen Half Marathon start list, there is an unnamed athlete with bib number #2 who is the same age as Ingebrigtsen (23).
In a press conference ahead of Friday’s Diamond League Final in Brussels, Ingebrigtsen was asked if he had plans to compete in Copenhagen. “I’m focused on tomorrow’s race first, and what happens after that, I’m not sure,” the 23-year-old Norwegian responded, keeping the speculation alive. If the rumours prove true, he could be chasing another world record.
“Every world record can be broken”
The sky is the limit for Jakob Ingebrigtsen 🚀#BrusselsDL🇧🇪#DiamondLeague pic.twitter.com/YfkvNkzTK9
— Wanda Diamond League (@Diamond_League) September 12, 2024
In tomorrow’s race in Brussels, Ingebrigtsen will be vying for his third-consecutive Diamond League title while trying to inch closer to Hicham El Guerrouj’s 1,500m world record of 3:26.00. “I believe it’s possible to break any world record,” Ingebrigtsen said in Thursday’s press conference. “For me, it’s about winning. It’s always exciting to race when there’s something bigger on the line. There’s always the chance of a world record, but likely not tomorrow.”
World record watch in Brussels
Meanwhile, the Diamond League Final could witness another world record in the men’s 800m, where Canadian Olympic silver medalist Marco Arop will face off against his rival, Olympic champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi. Both are the fastest 800m runners in the world this year, and they’ll be chasing David Rudisha’s world record time of 1:40.91. Arop will arrive in Brussels in record-setting shape, fresh off setting a North American record in the 1,000m at the Boris Hanžeković Memorial in Zagreb on Sept. 8.
Canada’s Sarah Mitton in the shot put and pole vaulter Alysha Newman are also slated to compete in the Diamond League Finals, both looking to make history and become the first Canadian female athlete to win a Diamond League trophy in over a decade. Diamond League champions also earn an automatic qualification spot into the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan.
How to watch
You can catch all the track and field action from the Diamond League Final from Brussels online on CBC Sports and CBC Gem, starting at 3:00 p.m. ET on Friday, Sept. 13 and Saturday, Sept. 14.
