Jakob Ingebrigtsen reckons he can beat Josh Kerr blindfolded when fully fit.
World champion Kerr says the Olympic gold medallist has “flaws on the track and in the manners realm”. And that he’s surrounded by “yes men”.
But when the gun heralds the start of the men’s 1500m in the Stade de France on Tuesday, talk will fall silent. Deed will take over.
Barring a significant shock, one of these two will be crowned Olympic champion in Paris. It will be “one of the most vicious and hardest 1500m races seen in a very long time”, according to Team GB captain Kerr.
“There’s been a lot of words over the last two years,” added the Tokyo bronze medallist. “I’m just looking to settle that. I’m ready to go after it.”
These two do not like each other. It’s visceral yet palpable. They were even judiciously kept apart when they spoke to the media after the semi-finals, from which the Norwegian qualified just ahead of his Scottish rival.
“So, no words from now on?” asked Ingebrigtsen before putting his hand over his mouth when told of Kerr’s comments.
These are two men without a filter but with a burning desire to prove they are the best in the world over three and three quarter laps of the track.
A little before 20:00 BST – live on BBC One – they will have the chance to prove it.