The problems for the 32-year-old began in autumn 2019 and she has been stopped from competing three times since then.
Today's medal was Flugstad Östberg's first championship medal since the WC in Seefeld 2019.
- It is absolutely incredible.
It's only been a few minutes, so it's hard to sort out the emotions, but hell, everything is possible, says Flugstad Östberg to NRK.
It was a taken Flugstad Östberg who was in the middle of the celebration since Anne Kjersti Kalvå saved the gold on the final stretch.
The father: "Couldn't even dream of it"
- I'm not going to laugh now, even though I feel it's close now, she says.
The tears press on and Östberg tries in vain to find the words.
- It's been a long way here, damn it.
But you can ask someone else about anything, because now it's starting to get difficult, says Östberg.
Father Helge Östberg stood in the stands and could hardly understand what he had experienced.
- It was absolutely great.
I couldn't even dream of it once.
She has not been unhappy with her efforts in the past but has hinted between the lines that she is in good shape but hasn't landed the last punch.
She got that today, says Helge Östberg.
- It's a big dream coming true and it's extra big to be able to do it as underdogs, says Kalvå.
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Ingvild Flugstad Östberg dares to dream of WC gold again