Editor’s note: This is a post from February 6, 2026, by Jakob Ingebrigtsen. He has been posting on Instagram about his recovery.
Notes from Jakob A. Ingebrigtsen:
Those of you who have followed over the past couple of years will know I’ve been struggling with my achilles. A persistent and very specific injury that forced me to miss a lot of training and racing. After another flare up a couple weeks ago, we took the decision to travel to America for surgery. This is of course not something to be taken lightly but absolutely the right thing for the longevity of my career. The surgery went very smoothly and I’m relieved to finally have a clear path of recovery back to the start line after many months of uncertainty.
Running is not always sunshine and rainbows but injuries are part of the sport and setbacks are a part of life. Grateful to have an amazing team and support system around me.
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Dear Jakob,
I am a German Maxillo-Facial Surgeon and I am following your running career since the Berlin European Championships 2018. For me there is No better runner in the world than you.2025 began with your fantastic worldrecords in Livin and then your 4 Goldmedals in Apeldorn and China.
Since then you started to deal with your Achilles tendon Problems on your left leg.
You still tried everything to recover sweat driven trainingsessions in the Water and on the treadmill.
Though still having pain you decided to run in Tokio and This was absolutely super brave!!! Nobody else in the world would have been capable to perform this outcome :
You ran as of my knowledge your second fastest time in the 5000meter Final though not being free from pain and over months not having trained properly because if ups and downs.. This time was better than all the 5000meter victories during major championships- Only the one Race in Italy in 2021 was better(.12:48).
The World Misses you on the Track Like Nobody else. No Kerr, No Hocker….I like Jared also because he is a nice fellow – I think you like him too.
Please let the world know how you recover from the surgery- don’t start too early to Not Risk anything – you will be back and I know, if someone breaks the Worldrecords over 1500meters and the mile it is you and the Same applies to the 5000meters.
Your world record in Silesia over the 3000meters will Most likely never be broken by anyone in the next decades – the two Miles as well
Dr. Bender, thanks for your kind words on Jakob Inbebrigtsen. Jakob, as you know is one of the most popular athletes in sport.
Well put on this comment! Please provide comments again. It is fun to learn and hear from our readers around the World. I love Germany, have travelled there often, love the people, food, and of course, beer!