Liam Tharme

Gjert Ingebrigtsen interview: ‘Of course there is a winner when it comes to the verdict’ Gjert Ingebrigtsen speaks after a harrowing trial in which his double Olympic champion son Jakob and daughter Ingrid accused him of abuse

Track coach Gjert Ingebrigtsen, the father of double Olympic champion Jakob and his six siblings, was convicted of hitting daughter Ingrid with a towel but cleared of all of the abuse charges made by his children after a high-profile trial in Norway this year.

He speaks to @liamtharme.bsky.social.

Football Architects: The England DNA behind the pursuit of tournament-winning teams In December 2014, The FA laid out its vision for future internationals to be exceptional across four “corners” - this is what happened next

Part five of Football Architects — it's a topical one....

This is how the implementation of the FA's England DNA project supercharged the national teams — women, men, and juniors — to the most successful period in their history.

W/ @liamtharme.bsky.social:

www.nytimes.com/athletic/646...

U.S. track and field championships: Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and more to watch in Eugene

US T&F trials start today! 🇺🇸

Here’s your preview:
• Qualification process
• Syd’s switch to 400m flat
• Lyles’ 200m defence
• Quincy Wilson but not Hall in 400m
• Brazier/Muhammad’s comebacks
• Houlihan’s return
+ more

Coverage @theathletic.com

www.nytimes.com/athletic/652...

Wightman and Brazier's tough comebacks show turbocharging of men's middle-distance running

Refreshing + insightful chats with Donovan Brazier and Jake Wightman at the London DL 💎 yesterday as two former World Champs attempt comebacks in the 800m and 1,500m

Faster races, aggressive tactics, less room for error. US & GB trials soon - both could make Tokyo

www.nytimes.com/athletic/650...

Katarina Johnson-Thompson interview: 'I just want to continue heptathlon for as long as I'm capable'

Interviewed KJT yesterday ahead of her long jumping in the London DL 💎

Her Paris thoughts and review, chasing Thiam & Hall, reinventing herself and becoming more than a jumper, and her connection with heptathlon 🇬🇧

www.nytimes.com/athletic/650...

ICYMI

Episode one of Football Architects on Ajax is available to listen to now!

With @michaeljbailey.bsky.social @jacobwhitehead.bsky.social @liamtharme.bsky.social and excerpts of an interview with Jasper van Leeuwen and Ruben Jongkind.

pod.fo/e/2f4b77

The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast: How Belgium marched to world number one On episode two of Football Architects, we’re focusing on the rise that took a stagnant Belgium to number one in FIFA’s world rankings.We’ll hear about how they established a footballing DNA, ...

Episode two of Football Architects is LIVE!

This part focuses on the rise of Belgium to No.1 in the world.

Featuring @michaeljbailey.bsky.social @jacobwhitehead.bsky.social & @liamtharme.bsky.social

pod.fo/e/2f8cce

Kenny Bednarek knows what he wants, if he can just relax: ‘Make money, get gold medals and just run fast’ The American is on a mission to become the world's fastest sprinter

Had the privilege of chatting to Olympic and World 200m silver medalist Kenny Bednarek for 45 mins

Olympics review, his upbringing, racing Tebogo, block starts, relaxing off the bend, JuCo and UO dreams, wanting triple gold in Tokyo, fixing US men’s 4x100 & more

www.nytimes.com/athletic/645...

What it would take for Faith Kipyegon to become the first female sub four-minute miler How learnings from the sub-two hour marathon project have been carried into Thursday's sub-four mile record attempt in Paris

What’s it going to take for Faith Kipyegon to become the first female four-minute miler?

I spoke to people from Breaking2 in 2017 (Kipchoge’s sub-two marathon shot) to understand physiological + drafting demands for Breaking4.

Spoiler: it’s a huge “moonshot” 🇰🇪

www.nytimes.com/athletic/644...

How the Premier League revolutionised academies to create pathways for Delap, Eze, Johnson and many more For a while, the footballers developed at English clubs were considered inferior. But no longer. What has changed?

The end of 2024-25 was a good advert for how youth development in England has been transformed.

But no two players have the same pathway — @liamtharme.bsky.social spoke to the Premier League’s Director of Football Neil Saunders and Liam Delap about the nation's talent revolution.

Tomorrow the Tactics pod brings you a classic: Alternative Team of The Season!

One player from every club in the bottom half of the table plus one wildcard - send us your suggestions below 👇

Jean-Philippe Mateta: My Game in My Words The Crystal Palace striker talks instincts, finishing technique with both feet and that protective headgear ahead of the FA Cup final

Jean-Philippe Mateta: My Game In My Words

“I don’t just want to be, ‘JP scores when he makes the run in behind’. I can dribble, I can shoot first touch, I can score with my left or right, and more with my head"

@mattwoosie.bsky.social @liamtharme.bsky.social #CPFC

www.nytimes.com/athletic/635...

The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast: How Forest have outsmarted the Premier League’s elite This week… we’re talking about Nuno Espirito Santo’s Champions League-chasing Nottingham Forest.We’ll break down how a team who flirted with relegation last season have become one of the mo...

A labour of love for me to fill in on the @theathleticfc.bsky.social tactics pod and talk #NFFC today.

@zonal-marking.bsky.social @liamtharme.bsky.social and @markcarey93.bsky.social brought the knowledge

pod.fo/e/2c2575

Jakob Ingebrigtsen, the Olympic champion who will testify against the father he accuses of abuse

The backstory to the trial is here.

Jakob’s younger sister, Ingrid, will testify tomorrow and Thursday, before three days of Gjert being questioned next week.

The trial is scheduled for 6 weeks — until mid May.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/621...

Jakob Ingebrigtsen says he was slapped, kicked by father Gjert who ‘had control over my entire life’ The 59-year-old Gjert Ingebrigtsen denies charges of abuse against two of his seven children.

Jakob Ingebrigtsen testified today (he will for 1hr 30 tomorrow too) against his father, Gjert, who is on trial for abuse charges against Jakob and his younger sister Ingrid.

A report from day two of the trial, w/ @sigvekvamme.bsky.social

www.nytimes.com/athletic/622...

The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast: Who are the Champions League favourites now? We’re focusing our attention on the Champions League.This season’s competition is at the quarter-final stages — giving us the perfect moment to look back on what’s happened and what the res...

NEW POD!

It's Champions League review/preview time.

We look at the RO16 results and ahead to the quarters.

With @michaeljbailey.bsky.social @zonal-marking.bsky.social @liamtharme.bsky.social & @markcarey93.bsky.social

pod.fo/e/2b827a

Lewis Hall is Newcastle’s new attacking weapon – as Nottingham Forest discovered Why Eddie Howe's patient restructure of his defence is paying dividends

Eddie Howe stressed that, with patience, Lewis Hall would become a top player.

He was right. Hall has replaced Trippier’s creativity and brings so much out of Gordon with his underlaps.

Involved in all 4 goals v Forest yesterday. Give him his flowers.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/615...

Newcastle went with a hybrid defensive approach of a 5-4-1 mid-block and man-for-man press v City. Bounce passes and long balls unlocked them, and Newcastle conceded 3 in a PL first half for the first time under Howe — he called it a “painful watch”.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/613...

Chris Wood has now scored 29 goals in 41 Premier League appearances for Nottingham Forest under Nuno Espírito Santo.

Since his first game in charge (23 Dec 2023), only Haaland (32), Isak (31) and Palmer (30) have more Premier League goals than Wood.

How PSG started using Ousmane Dembele as a No 9 and unlocked the form of his life

Ousmane Dembélé is on fire.

Only the fourth PSG player to score in 8 consecutive games, he’s hit 20+ goals in a season for the first time, and already has more goals in 2025 than 2024.

How Luis Enrique switching him from winger to No 9 has unlocked Dembélé.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/613...

Kelvin Kiptum: The tragic loss of the marathon runner who was set to redefine the sport

It’s one year today that Kelvin Kiptum, Gervais Hakizimana, died in a traffic accident. I wrote this piece ahead of the Olympic marathon in August, speaking to those who knew him and raced against him.

Kiptum (2:00:35) still holds the WR from Chicago in 2023.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/568...

George Mills breaks Josh Kerr's UK 3000m record with 7:27.92 - AW The 25-year-old beats Kerr's mark of 7:30.14 with big win at the Meeting de l’Eure in Val-de-Reuil

George Mills breaks Josh Kerr’s UK 3000m record with 7:27.92.

The 25-year-old beats Kerr’s mark of 7:30.14 with big win at the Meeting de l’Eure in Val-de-Reuil.

YouTube video by SportsNation Running 18MPH at different sizes 😳 | #Shorts

Always brings me back to this. Most people can’t comprehend how varied athleticism, speed and power can look

youtube.com/shorts/gR2_g...

Patrick Mahomes and the secrets of the Dad Bod: What we get wrong about athleticism Patrick Mahomes and Nikola Jokić aren't just superstars. They challenge us to better understand the hidden secrets of athleticism.

This is absolutely excellent

www.nytimes.com/athletic/609... Patrick Mahomes and the secrets of the Dad Bod: What we get wrong about athleticism

How Bournemouth became the Premier League’s best team to watch – and worst to play against How the division's smallest club took a risk, backed their talented head coach, recruited smartly and refined their style

Bournemouth under Andoni Iraola: pressing machine, transition monsters and a direct approach on the ball.

Analysing their incredible performances this season with @liamtharme.bsky.social

#AFCB

www.nytimes.com/athletic/609...

Angeliño, I’m applauding. Nothing I enjoy more than seeing a winger or full/wing-back locking off the back-post at a cross from the other side. Such a useful and valuable source of goals and chances.

The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast: Premier League analysed: A stat for every club This week we are bringing you a Tactics staple - a key statistic for every team in the Premier League. From Liverpool’s direct attacks to Crystal Palace’s runs in behind - we have you covered....

NEW POD!

@michaeljbailey.bsky.social @zonal-marking.bsky.social @markcarey93.bsky.social & @liamtharme.bsky.social provide a key statistic for EVERY team in the Premier League!

Plus, as promised, a fantastic quiz by Mark.

Enjoy!

pod.fo/e/2a64b0

Morgan Rogers joined Aston Villa on February 1 2024.

Since then, he has:

▪️ Helped Aston Villa finish fourth in the Premier League
▪️ Earned a senior England call-up
▪️ Played a key role in Villa securing a place in the Champions League last 16
▪️ Scored a hat-trick in the UCL

Not a bad year.

La crise continuera

One away point all season, key players sold, poor investment on money made from good sales in the past, a lack of a core in the squad. Sad times at Rennes currently

Jake Wightman: "I'd hate for athletics to just be considered an Olympic sport" - AW The 2022 world 1500m champion also emphasises why the Keely Klassic is so important to athletics in the UK

"I’d hate for athletics to just be considered an Olympic sport, which a lot of people would label it as."

Jake Wightman talks through his British indoor 1000m attempt at the Keely Klassic, evolving athletics and recovery from injury 🏃

✍️ @timadams1.bsky.social