As the double champion over 1500 m and 5000 m at the last three European Championships (Berlin 2018, Munich 2022, Rome 2024), Ingebrigtsen is the first male athlete in European athletics history to win six gold medals. Under the rules, as the defending champion he has automatic entry to the finals of both events.

Image source: social media

However, which event he will enter remains uncertain. Although Norwegian outlet VG initially reported he would run the 5000 m, it later toned down the wording. Neither agent Skoland nor the Norwegian Athletics Federation has specified his events. Observers speculate that, since the 1500 m (August 14–15) comes after the 5000 m (August 10), he could attempt to defend both titles again, but some Norwegian commentators have expressed concern about him attempting a double so soon after surgery.

During Ingebrigtsen's absence, the landscape of European middle- and long-distance running has shifted. Swedish runner Andreas Almgren broke the European 5000 m record in June 2025 with a time of 12:44.27.

This season Almgren leads the European 5000 m lists with 12:48.61. Besides Almgren, six other European men have gone under 13 minutes in the 5000 m this season.

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In addition, Briton and long-time rival Josh Kerr recently broke the world mile record at the London Diamond League. If Kerr opts to run the 1500 m, the two will stage a showdown in Birmingham.

For Ingebrigtsen, Birmingham is not only a comeback but a chance to prove himself. At last year's World Championships in Tokyo he was hampered by injury — eliminated in the first round of the 1500 m and only 10th in the 5000 m. On his return he will be eager to demonstrate he remains the continent's dominant middle- and long-distance runner.

This highly anticipated comeback will unfold in Birmingham this August.