Track and Field’s Iconic Rivalry Reignites as 2x Olympic Gold Medalist Fires Back with Sneering Comment

Every sport has its iconic rivalries. From the Lionel Messi vs. Cristiano Ronaldo debate that rocks the soccer community to the Bill Russell-Wilt Chamberlain rivalry that made basketball fans keep their eyes glued to the TV, the world has seen some truly incredible contention that has given them numerous memorable moments. Similarly, the track and field universe has its own behemoths who are always going after each other, and one such feud seems to have reignited.

Norway’s Jakob Ingebrigtsen is an iconic name in the long-distance running circuit. With two gold medals at both the Olympics and the World Championships, the 24-year-old justifiably demands respect. His rivalry with Britain’s Josh Kerr is one of the most thrilling things for track and field fans that’s just got its latest drama unfolding.

The latest episode of the scintillating track and field rivalry

Ever since former Olympian and 4x Olympic gold medalist Michael Johnson announced his ambitious Grand Slam Track last year, the community has been eager to see what the tournament brings to the table. To keep up with the hype, Johnson roped in some of the best athletes from around the world to compete in GST’s inaugural run in 2025. The UK’s Josh Kerr was the second athlete to sign up for the 800m and 1500m groups, and now he’s taken a jibe at Ingebrigtsen for staying mum about his participation.

The rivalry ain’t dead.

“I would love for him to come in and run an 800m and 1500m. I think it would be hilarious.”

On the latest episode of The CITIUS MAG Podcast, we caught up with Josh Kerr to preview his 2025 campaign which will kick off with the Millrose Games but… pic.twitter.com/yAbUuDpWqc

— CITIUS MAG (@CitiusMag) January 9, 2025

A post by Citius Mag on X from January 9 narrates the newest banter between Kerr and Ingebrigtsen. During the latest Citius Mag Podcast, the Brit took a dig at his Norwegian comrade, saying watching the later run in GST over the shorter course “would be hilarious.” Not stopping there, the track and field celeb further said, “Watching him run the 800m would be like deer on ice.” He also pointed out that Jakob’s decision not to sign up for GST might stem from the fact that he hasn’t won any non-paced races in the last two years. Sassy, right? Unsurprisingly, Jakob was quick to revert back.

Citing his three world records in the 1500m, 2000m, and 3000m events, Ingebrigtsen sneered at Kerr, saying, “The day he contributes to world record racing, I’ll take him seriously. But only then.” While Jakob hasn’t signed up for Johnson’s track and field event, it seems like he’s still pretty confident about his prowess should he decide to change his mind. But this wasn’t the first time these two got entangled in a fiery exchange.

A competition that never ceases to excite

Kerr and Ingebrigtsen have already made it clear that they don’t particularly like each other. With both men being regular runners in the 1500m events, it was natural that track and field fans were eager to see how they dealt with each other at the Paris Olympics last year, and the athletes kept stirring the pot. “They should be expecting one of the most vicious and hardest 1,500s the sport’s seen in a very long time,” Josh said after finishing behind the Norwegian in the semis. In the final race, however, Jakob fell surprisingly short of replicating his world record at the distance in the City of Love and finished in fourth place, while Kerr went on to bag the silver.

But Ingebrigtsen was determined to settle the score. At the Lausanne Diamond League after the completion of the 2024 Games, he went on to win gold in the 1500m after crossing the finishing line, clocking a remarkable 3:27.83. With that, he proved that Kerr should understand who he’s talking to. “The problem with the rivalry is that it’s not created by the media. It’s only created by that moron because he began trash-talking me,” Jakob said in October 2024, speaking to ‘CITIUS MAG’ about his rival. Talk about being straightforward!

So who will you rally behind the next time these two track and field giants meet again? Tell us below!

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