Athletics stars get special treatment at National Championships – VG

– Yes, confirms the head of sport for the athletics association, Erlend Slokvik.

The National Athletics Championships at Bergen’s Fana Stadium should have originally been held July 19-21. The corona pandemic was postponed until September 18-20. According to Erlend Slokvik, the best athletes in Norway, that is, a total of 16 in the elite group, are contractually bound to compete in the annual Norwegian championships.

However, the Athletics Federation regulations allow adjustments with respect to the international Diamond League competition series. This year it has been severely amputated with a series of cancellations due to the coronavirus.

However, Karsten Warholm will attempt on Tuesday (starting at 18:40) to erase the world record in the 400m hurdles at the Golden Spike (not Diamond League) competition in Ostrava. Jakob Ingebrigtsen is ready for the 1500 meters in the same competition (20.35).

On Thursday, September 17, Rome will host their Diamond League competition, with – probably and perhaps – Jakob Ingebrigtsen, Filip Ingebrigtsen (3000m), Karsten Warholm, Amalie Iuel (400m hurdles), Hedda Hynne (800m) and Vladimir Vukicevic (110 meters hurdles) at the starting line.

Well, to mark the night before NM begins.

That is why the organizing clubs, the Fana, Bjarg and Gneist sports teams, and the athletics association have now changed the original competition program. Jakob Ingebrigtsen and the current other among the Norwegian stars receive special treatment to be able to show their best side, and not least to get to Bergen on time.

Jakob Ingebrigtsen, and possibly his older brother Filip (fell in Brussels last Friday), receive the calls wildcard so they don’t have to run the 1500m qualifying round on Friday. They go directly to the final on Saturday, without this being to the detriment of any of the competitors.

– It has happened before, responds Erlend Slokvik when it comes to the distribution of wildcard in athletics NM.

The NM final in the 400m hurdles will move to Sunday, with preliminary testing on Saturday. This means that Karsten Warholm and Norwegian record holder Amalie Iuel don’t have to think about getting to the original start, if they decide to race in Rome. On the other hand, it will mean that they will not have the opportunity to double, with a 400 meter dash on Friday.

– It is fun that you can collaborate and thus bring together the best athletes in Norway. It is an important convention. I think everyone appreciates that the best can be achieved, says NRK athletic commentator Jann Post.

Hedda Hynne (800 meters) and Vladimir Vukicevic (110 meters hurdles), with a recent Norwegian record in the short hurdles, will also race in Rome as planned. Her exercises take place on Saturdays and Sundays in Bergen.

Curiosity: According Athletics1 Jakob Ingebrigtsen is registered for obstacles of 800 meters, 1500 meters, 5000 meters, 10,000 meters and 3000 meters. Karsten Warholm is logged for 400 meters (flat) and 400 meters hurdles. The registration period ended on Tuesday, September 8.

Erlend Slokvik says it is somewhat uncertain to what extent Sigrid Borge, from Osterøy outside Bergen, can throw javelin in the NC. According to the senior sports director, it is clear that Norwegian record holder Isabebelle Pedersen will not be running the 100m hurdles at home on Sunday and Tom Henning Kårbø will not be out in the 3000m hurdles on Saturday. Both according to the person in charge of the best sports.

P.S! VG has not been in contact with Henrik Ingebrigtsen or Gjert Ingebrigtsen regarding Henrik Ingebrigtsen’s involvement in NM. The last time the Monaco Diamond League match ran was on August 14. He broke the 5000 meters. Sports manager Erlend Slokvik says running older brother Ingebrigtsen is in treatment and is unsure of NM.