Jakob Ingebrigtsen won't be racing in the first half of the 2026 season due to injury recovery.
His manager, Daniel Wessfeldt, confirmed the news, citing the need for Ingebrigtsen to reach a certain level to compete against the best.
What happened?
Ingebrigtsen spent most of 2025 battling a stubborn injury that cost him every race of the season.
He underwent surgery on the left Achilles sheath to remove scar tissue.
Why it matters for Jakob Ingebrigtsen
The 25-year-old's goal has been to compete in several of this season's major championships, including the European Championship.
Ingebrigtsen's recovery not proceeding as expected has changed the situation.
What comes next?
Wessfeldt is confident that Ingebrigtsen can still perform at the highest level, having set four world records between September 2023 and February 2025.
The Diamond League circuit kicks off on May 16, but Ingebrigtsen won't be participating.
And the Bislett Games, which kick off on June 10 in Oslo, are also off the table for now.
But Wessfeldt believes Ingebrigtsen can be very good in the second half of the season if everything goes according to plan.
Ingebrigtsen's training progress through late April and into May will determine his readiness to compete.
So the focus is on getting Ingebrigtsen back to his best form.
The 2026 season is still packed with events, including the inaugural Ultimate Championships in September.
Ingebrigtsen's fans are hoping to see him back at his best in the second half of the season.
But for now, they'll have to wait and see how his recovery progresses.
The procedure went well, but it takes time to build up to the training volume required to be at that level.
As of now, Ingebrigtsen's return to competition is uncertain.