The China Mail - Ingebrigtsen buoyed by fourth in Diamond League comeback

In his first appearance on the elite one-day track and field circuit in two years, Ingebrigtsen clocked 3min 33.19sec in a race in Silesia won by unheralded American Ethan Strand in 3:30.77.

Ingebrigtsen had touched down in Poland direct from Birmingham where he consolidated his place as the most successful male athlete in European history after winning the 5,000m for his seventh individual continental gold.

Ingebrigtsen is now unbeaten at the European championships since he won the 1,500/5,000m double at the 2018 champs in Berlin when he was just 17.

He repeated that double at both the Munich championships in 2022 and Rome two years ago.

But Ingebrigtsen opted to only race the 5,000m in Birmingham, having not competed up until that point because of an Achilles tendon injury that required surgery.

That followed a disappointing world championships in Tokyo in 2025 when he was knocked out in the heats of the 1,500m and could only finish 10th in the 5,000m -- his last competitive race before heading to Birmingham.

"I was forced to do more 5,000m specific training for the European championships," he said after the 1,500m in Silesia.

"So I have been preparing for the 1,500m for the last 10 days only. I felt a little rusty at the beginning, then a little better as the race went on."

Ingebrigtsen, with a remarkable 20 Diamond League victories under his belt between 2020-24, had surged to the front of the pack through the bell.

- Milestone in the journey -

But he was reeled in heading for the home straight, passed by American Cole Hocker, Kenya's Phanuel Kipkosgei Koech and Strand.

"My rivals gave me a choice with 500-600 metres to go - either stay in lane 2 or get to the front," Ingebrigtsen said.

"Of course I decided to take the lead! The race was a little messy, but in the end I was simply not strong enough to defend my position.

"I am focusing on the Diamond League race in Zurich now. I believe with every day now I will be more ready to race over 1,500m, so give me four days and I should be stronger."

American winner Strand is a relative unknown on the European circuit, and all pre-race eyes had been on his compatriot and Olympic champion Hocker.

"Beating these great runners here is incredible," said Strand.

"But I ran it the hard way, I used too much energy running in outside lanes. It is still a lack of practice.

"I am so comfortable at the back of the races. I found myself right behind Jakob and the moment I saw him move, I knew it was time to go. I am proud of this race."

Strand said racing meetings on the Diamond League were a "big milestone in my journey. This is a step in the right direction".

"This victory is a surprise for everyone, me included. The speed was there, but before I struggled with running the race pace," said the Alabama native in his first year as a professional athlete.

Strand broke the NCAA mile record last season, a year after also setting a record in the 3,000m.

He finished second in the 2025 US champs behind the now-banned Jonah Koech, going on to finish 16th in the 1,500m at last year's world championships in Tokyo.

"Tokyo last year was the first time for me outside the US and London this year was my first Diamond League meeting in Europe," said Strand, the latest product on the conveyor belt of American middle-distance runners.

S.Davis--ThChM