Police investigate attack by KR swimming coach

Police are investigating an attack in which a KR swimming coach allegedly assaulted a Grótta swimming coach, mbl.is reports. The victim had to seek medical treatment at an emergency department for injuries, according to Hjördís Sigurbjartsdóttir, deputy chief of police.

The two men are both in their 30s. Police have not disclosed what led to the attack, saying the investigation is ongoing.

The incident took place outside the headquarters of the Icelandic Sports and Olympic Federation on Engjateigur in Laugardalur. The KR coach is believed to have threatened the Grótta coach with a knife before hitting him repeatedly.

A 19 year old cyclist intervened and pulled the two coaches apart. The victim ran away, with the attacker following him. Police were alerted, but the attacker then drove away and failed to obey orders to stop.

Police eventually had to ram the swimming coach’s car to stop it.

Willum Þór Þórsson, president of the Icelandic Sports and Olympic Federation, arrived after the attack had ended and described the incident as a tragedy.

Þórhildur Garðarsdóttir, chairwoman of KR, said the club was deeply saddened by the incident. Grótta issued a similar statement, saying: “We are all deeply saddened by this.”