Shortly after the World Cup competitions in Goms, almost three weeks ago, she received the news that she would not be allowed to run the classic sprint at the Olympics - the distance where she finished second in the World Cup the last time it was included in a major championship, in 2023.
But she has had to keep quiet and bite the bullet.
"These have probably been the toughest weeks of my sporting career, trying to accept the situation. It's a dream and a goal that I've had for an incredibly long time," says Ribom, who finished 13th in Thursday's 10-kilometer race.
She skipped the press conferences before the race - something she is grateful for.
"I needed time to settle in and accept that the Olympic sprint would go on without me. I still don't think I've really grasped that."
