Jakob Ingebrigtsen admits he is “a long way” from the level that he expects. The maverick Norwegian made a dramatic return to racing at the European Championships in Birmingham, storming to 5,000m gold to banish skepticism surrounding his condition and his nerve to compete on the big stage following a 323-day absence after a debilitating Achilles injury.
Athletics is a star-driven sport and the 1,500m, among its most compelling events, alongside the women’s 800m, depends on head-to-head duels when records, such as Josh Kerr's captivating tilt at the one mile mark in London, are not at stake.