American alpine skiing legend Lindsey Vonn remains determined to compete in the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, even after suffering a complete rupture of her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in her left knee just days ago. Experts in orthopedics and sports medicine describe her plan as highly risky but acknowledge it is technically possible for an elite athlete of her caliber.
The 41-year-old Vonn, who returned from retirement in pursuit of one final Olympic medal, crashed during a World Cup downhill race in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, on Friday. The incident resulted in a fully torn ACL, bone bruising, and meniscal damage in her left knee. She was airlifted to a hospital following the high-speed fall.
In a candid news conference in Cortina on Tuesday, Vonn confirmed the severity of the injury but expressed strong confidence in her ability to race. After undergoing intensive physical therapy, consulting specialists, and testing her knee on the slopes earlier that day, she reported no swelling, good stability with a brace, and no pain. “My knee feels stable. I feel strong,” Vonn stated. “With the help of a knee brace, I am confident that I can compete on Sunday” in the women’s downhill event.
Vonn emphasized her mindset, refusing to let the setback derail her dream. “This is not what I hoped for… I know my chances aren’t the same as before the crash, but I know there’s still a chance, and as long as there’s a chance, I will try,” she said. “I’m not letting this slip through my fingers.”
Orthopedic and sports medicine specialists interviewed by The Associated Press noted that competing with a ruptured ACL carries significant dangers, including potential further damage to the knee—or even catastrophic failure—at the extreme speeds and forces involved in downhill skiing. Dr. Yana Klein, an emergency and sports medicine specialist at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, warned that Vonn could “blow out her knee entirely” if instability occurs during a race.
However, experts also pointed out that Vonn is far from an average patient. Her exceptional fitness, experience, pain tolerance, and access to top-tier medical support make the endeavor more realistic than it would be for most athletes. Some suggested that the inline forces in skiing (as opposed to twisting impacts) could allow limited functionality with proper bracing, though competitiveness would be compromised, and any secondary crash would heighten the peril.
Vonn’s head coach expressed similar optimism, telling the AP there was “no doubt” she would race and noting her rapid progress in rehab, including performing box jumps.
This marks what Vonn has indicated will be her final professional competition. She has a strong history on the Cortina course, where she has secured multiple World Cup victories, adding emotional weight to her pursuit.
As the Olympic downhill approaches, all eyes will be on Vonn—not just for her performance, but for the extraordinary resilience she continues to demonstrate in the face of adversity. While the medical community stresses the hazards, her determination underscores why she remains one of skiing’s all-time greats.
