Svela met the European Championship requirement of 5,000 meters – and ran in a time of 13:19.87. A few minutes earlier, Narve Gilje Nordås had won the 1500 meters convincingly.
– I had incredibly good feet towards the end. I could only push on, says Svela to VG.
However, he did not want to comment on the ongoing case with his coach Gjert Ingebrigtsen.
Narve Gilje Nordås is also a pupil under the same man, who on Monday was charged with abuse in close relationships against one of his children.
– I don’t want to comment on that (the case). Today it will be about what happens on the pitch, says Per Svela.
– What do you think about your relationship with Gjert as a coach?
– I behave as I usually do in Norway – that he is innocent until he is convicted, replies Svela.
He received good help from training mate Narve Gilje Nordås in several rounds during the 5000 metres.
Nordås came straight from the 1500 meters which had the finish just minutes before Svela ran the half mile.
Filip Ingebrigtsen also took part in the 1500 meters where they opened the outdoor season in Spanish Huelva.
There, Nordås delivered a strong sprint and won in 3.34.11.
Ingebrigtsen finished some way behind. His time ended up being 3:38.91.
– I am very happy if I open better than my best race last year. But it’s clear, I was hoping to be closer to 3.36. I was a bit defensive the first half. I would like to get a good pass, says Filip Ingebrigtsen to VG.
The time is just over three seconds behind the European Championship requirement of 3:36.00, but he still has several opportunities to meet the requirement before the European Championship in Rome in June.
– What do you think about the EC requirement?
– I try to focus on the next competition. If I’m good enough for the EC, I’ll compete there, he replies.
– It’s extra fun to get a starting number and feel the nerves again. Know how to run a little fast. I haven’t done it too often in recent years, says the middle of the runner brothers Ingebrigtsen.
He does not want to comment on the case against his father.
Narve Gilje Nordås managed the EC requirement already last year due to his great season.
Italian Federico Riva was ahead of Nordås before the race, but the Norwegian showed his qualities and took the victory.
Filip Ingebrigtsen’s personal best at 1500 meters is 3:30.01, set in 2018.
Narve Gilje Nordås ran 3:29.47 at Bislett last summer, and has not run faster since.
PS: Moa Abounnachat Bollerød from Sem ran 1500 meters (B final) in a time of 3:43.22.
