OSLO — Norway's two-time Olympic cross
country champion
Ingvild Flugstad Oestberg will miss the chance of a third
title in Beijing next year due to health reasons, the
Norwegian Ski Federation
said on Sunday.
اضافة اعلان
The 31-year-old -- who won sprint team gold
with Marit Bjoergen in 2014 and the relay title in 2018 — returned to the
circuit this season after missing the last campaign due to ill health.
Despite being part of a victorious Norwegian
relay team at the
World Cup meet in Ruka, Finland, the federation felt she was
not up to the demands of the Games.
"After assessing the state of her health
following the first races it shows she is unable to handle the race
schedule," the federation said in a statement.
"Ingvild must therefore once again take
a long rest, which means the Olympics (February 4-20) sadly will come too early
for her."
Oestberg — individual sprint silver medalist
in 2014 — said it was a cruel blow.
"I have worked hard and done my
best," she said.
"I felt good and enjoyed being back on
the skis.
"My dreams are broken, but all I can do
is look ahead."
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