Jakob Ingebrigtsen has withdrawn from Sunday's 1500 metres final at the World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest, ending the prospect of a rivalry revival with Josh Kerr and Cole Hocker.
In a video shared with his Instagram followers on Saturday, Ingebrigtsen said: "I've just tested for a session on the treadmill just now and ultimately I've made the decision to not participate in the 1500m."
The Norwegian double Olympic and world champion had returned from an 11-month lay-off last month, defending his European 5000m title in Birmingham. On Friday night he beat the United States' Hocker over 5000m to claim one of the $150,000 (£110,000) prizes at the inaugural Ultimate Championship.
Ingebrigtsen said he was not in a position to go back-to-back races, partly for the same reasons he did not double in Birmingham. He said: "Coming from a very difficult last two years with injury problems and Achilles surgery, I am forced to be more sensible than I would like to be."
He added that his focus was on getting back to 100 per cent fitness and preparing for 2027, saying: "Fitness cannot be faked. It's about doing the work every day, it's about showing up to training and the athlete that does that the best for the longest time is the best."
Ingebrigtsen and Scottish mile world record holder Kerr were both given special exemptions to compete in Budapest.