Jakob Ingebrigtsen's management have yet to confirm whether the Norwegian superstar will return to action for the Birmingham 2026 European Athletics Championships on 10-17 August.
The 25-year-old has not competed at all during the 2026 season as he continues his recovery from Achilles surgery undertaken earlier this year as he trains at altitude in St Moritz.
"I can't comment on that at the present time," said the Ingebrigtsen brothers' adviser, Espen Skoland, when asked by NRK whether Jakob would compete at Birmingham 2026.
"A decision, if any, will be taken close to the championships," he added. "Jakob doesn't want to create expectations that cannot be fulfilled."
There was similar uncertainty ahead of the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo after Achilles problems prevented him from racing before the championships. He eventually competed but exited in the heats of the 1500m before finishing 10th in the 5000m.
Following surgery at the beginning of 2026, Ingebrigtsen has focused entirely on rehabilitation and has returned to training in spikes on the track in recent months.
He has taken a 1500m/5000m double at the last three European Athletics Championships in Berlin 2018, Munich 2022 and Roma 2024.
Hoping for "great things"
His agent, Daniel Wessfeldt, told NRK that only the athlete himself can decide when he is ready to return.
"Only Jakob himself can decide when he feels ready, and then we'll see when that is," Wessfeldt said.
Asked whether Ingebrigtsen could miss the entire 2026 season, Wessfeldt replied: "I hope not. I hope he'll do some great things this year, but knowing Jakob, he'll want to be fully prepared – not just turn up."
When asked if the European Athletics Championships remained possible, he said: "Maybe. Or maybe it will be a little after that. As I said, only Jakob himself can say when he's ready."
"Everything is uncertain, but if everything goes according to plan, it could be the European Championships. Otherwise, it may be a little later when the other major meetings come in August and September."
