In one of the most inspiring displays of resilience in Olympic history, U.S. alpine skiing legend Lindsey Vonn declared Tuesday that she will compete in the women’s downhill at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics this Sunday, February 8, despite completely rupturing her ACL in a devastating crash just last Friday.
The 41-year-old, in a heartfelt statement shared via social media and echoed at a press conference, detailed the full extent of her injuries: a full ACL tear in her left knee, bone bruising (common with ACL ruptures), and meniscal tears (some possibly pre-existing, others potentially new from the impact). The crash occurred during the World Cup downhill in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, where she lost control exiting a jump, slammed into safety netting, and was airlifted for evaluation.
“This was obviously incredibly hard news to receive one week before the Olympics,” Vonn wrote. “I really appreciate everyone giving me time and space to process what happened and find a way forward.”
After days of intensive consultations with doctors, aggressive therapy, physical testing, and even skiing today—with a knee brace for stability—Vonn confirmed she feels “confident” in her body’s ability to perform. “Despite my injuries my knee is stable, I do not have swelling and my muscles are firing and reacting as they should,” she said. She plans to complete the required official training run before Sunday’s race and will continue daily evaluations with her medical team to ensure smart, safe decisions.
Vonn’s unyielding spirit shines through in her words: “I know what my chances were before this crash, and even though my chances aren’t the same now, there is still a chance. And as long as I have a chance, I will not lose hope. I will not give up! It’s not over yet!”
The three-time Olympic medalist (gold in downhill 2010, bronze in super-G 2010 and downhill 2018) came out of retirement in November 2024 for this final push, entering the season as the World Cup downhill leader. Her career has been marked by triumphs over repeated knee reconstructions, fractures, and a knee replacement in 2024—making this latest comeback attempt one of the most remarkable stories in winter sports.
Vonn expressed deep gratitude for the outpouring of support: “Thank you to everyone who has reached out and supported me. I feel the love and it is giving me strength. 🙏🏻💪🏻🇺🇸”
With the Games opening February 6 and the women’s downhill set for February 8 at the Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre, Vonn’s participation injects massive drama and inspiration into Team USA’s campaign. Whether she contends for a medal or simply crosses the finish line, her determination has already captured the world’s attention.
This developing story will continue with updates on her training runs and race-day status. Lindsey Vonn is proving once again why she’s one of the greatest—and toughest—athletes of her generation. 🇺🇸⛷️❤️
