Lindsey Vonn Undergoes Surgery Following Crash at Olympics

On Sunday, officials from an Italian hospital reported that Lindsey Vonn had surgery to stabilize a fracture in her left leg. This came just hours after she was involved in a serious crash during a run.

Vonn, who previously overcame a torn ACL, aimed to compete for a medal in the women’s alpine downhill ski event. However, she lost control almost immediately after starting and crashed in the first sector. Medical teams attended to her as she lay in visible pain.

A helicopter was dispatched for her evacuation from the mountain, first taking her to a clinic in Cortina before transferring her to a facility in Treviso. Cafonchero Hospital later clarified that Vonn was being treated by a comprehensive medical team. The U.S. Ski Team stated that her condition is stable, with support from doctors both in the U.S. and Italy.

Anouk Paty, the director of sports for US Ski & Snowboard, commented on her situation, saying, “She’s going to be OK, but it’s going to take some time. People need to remember that this sport is brutal when they see athletes flying down mountains at such high speeds.”

Breezy Johnson, who won the gold medal for this event in her first appearance for Team USA at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Games, reflected on Vonn’s experience, stating, “I can’t claim to know what she’s feeling, but I’ve been here too, fighting for the Olympics and facing setbacks. The emotional toll can be even more challenging than the physical pain.”

Johan Elias, president of the International Ski and Snowboard Federation, referred to Vonn’s accident as “tragic,” but acknowledged that such incidents are part of ski racing.

In closing, he expressed gratitude for Vonn’s contributions to the sport, emphasizing how her presence brought attention and respect to skiing during the Games.