Lindsey Vonn Confirms Participation in Milan-Cortina Games Despite Injury

On Tuesday, Olympic gold medalist Lindsey Vonn announced her intention to compete in the upcoming Milan-Cortina Games, just days after suffering a complete tear of her anterior cruciate ligament during a World Cup race in Switzerland.

The 41-year-old skier was airlifted from the Crans-Montana course following a fall while landing a jump on her last run, which appeared to injure her left knee. Immediately, there were questions about her participation in the Winter Olympics.

During a press conference, Vonn detailed her injury, stating, “I had a complete tear of my anterior cruciate ligament. I also have a bone bruise, which is common with this type of injury, and a torn meniscus, but I’m not certain if that was there before or happened during the fall.”

She further shared that extensive treatment has been ongoing, including consultations with doctors, gym sessions, and even a bit of skiing. Notably, she mentioned, “My knee feels stable and strong, with no swelling. With a knee brace, I believe I can compete on Sunday.”

The Olympian is set to make her appearance in the women’s downhill event this Sunday. She also aims to compete in the super-G and the new team combined events. Despite recognizing the challenges due to her injuries, Vonn remains optimistic, mentioning she believes she still has a “chance.”

“This is obviously not what I wanted. I’ve worked hard to prepare for this tournament. I know my chances aren’t the same as before the crash, but I’m still going to try,” she expressed.

Vonn had a remarkable performance in the World Cup prior to her accident, finishing on the podium in seven out of eight races, with her lowest finish being fourth place. After nearly a six-year absence from competition, she made a strong comeback last year at the age of 40.

With three Olympic medals to her name, including a gold in downhill, Vonn was seen as a top contender for medals at the Milan-Cortina Games. Her last Olympic achievement was a bronze in the downhill event in 2018.

“Downhill is a very dangerous sport; you never know what’s going to happen. Pushing those limits can lead to crashes. I’ve had my fair share of injuries, but that’s just how life goes, and I’m going to do my best,” she added during her remarks.