Jakob Ingebrigtsen’s return to the track at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo was always going to be a gamble. The Norwegian star, unbeaten at 5000m in the last two editions of the championships, had not competed all summer after an Achilles injury disrupted his season. His decision to line up in Japan drew intrigue across the sport, but what followed in the 1500m heats proved a sobering reminder of how swiftly fortunes can shift at the highest level. What began as a comeback story quickly turned into a night of disbelief, as the 24-year-old bowed out in the opening round.

The build-up to Tokyo had been uneasy, as Ingebrigtsen had not raced outdoors all year. He spoke openly of his doubts before arriving in Japan. “I have hope until it really doesn’t work. And as long as ther

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