Norwegian middle- and long-distance superstar and two-time Olympic champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen confirmed via social media this Friday (February 6) that he has successfully undergone Achilles tendon surgery in California, USA. The 25-year-old world champion said the surgery was intended to definitively address a chronic Achilles issue that has troubled him for years. Although the operation was very successful, Jakob is very likely to miss the entire 2026 season as a result. Fighting for long-term career longevity Jakob revealed that his Achilles issue flared up again about two weeks ago during a training session. After careful evaluation by his team, he ultimately decided to travel to the United States for surgical treatment to protect the long-term development of his career. The surgery was performed at the Stanford Medical Center in Palo Alto, California, and was led by renowned orthopedic specialist Dr. Amol Saxena. He is highly respected in sports medicine and has treated similar injuries for numerous top track and field athletes. "Those who have followed me over the past few years know I've been battling Achilles problems. It's a stubborn injury that has forced me to miss a large amount of training and competition. About two weeks ago the Achilles flared up again, and we finally decided to have surgery. It was certainly not an easy decision, but for the longevity of my career, it was absolutely the right choice." A 2025 season overshadowed by injury The decision to operate was largely driven by the major setbacks Jakob experienced during the 2025 season. After the 2025 World Indoor Championships in Nanjing, an Achilles strain caused him to miss much of his preparations. He left the World Championships in Tokyo empty-handed. This stood in stark contrast to his performances at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where he won the 5000m gold and, despite disappointment in the 1500m, remained dominant. Jakob admitted in a video that the surgery primarily targeted the tendon sheath around the Achilles and the accompanying scar tissue. "The surgery went very smoothly and the scar tissue has been removed. The procedure itself wasn't extensive, so I hope the recovery time will be relatively short... I feel relieved; after months of uncertainty, there's finally a clear rehabilitation path back to the starting line." Looking ahead: Targets set on Beijing 2027 and Los Angeles 2028 Although Jakob is optimistic about the rehabilitation process, medical experts note that full recovery from Achilles surgery typically takes 9 to 12 months. With no World Athletics Championships scheduled in 2026, this provides Jakob with a rare, uninterrupted window to recover fully. Jakob's team is taking a long-term approach, with their sights firmly set on the 2027 World Athletics Championships in Beijing and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games. At the end of the statement, Jakob quoted a line from the movie The Terminator to show his determination to supporters: "Running isn't always sunshine and rainbows; injuries are part of the sport, and setbacks are part of life. I'm very grateful to have a great team and support system around me. I'll be back!"