Lindsey Vonn’s Ongoing Recovery Journey

Lindsey Vonn is still navigating a challenging recovery process.

On February 18, she shared an update post-surgery after being hospitalized due to a devastating incident during the women’s downhill event at the 2026 Olympics.

“Just a quick update…my last surgery went well,” she posted on X on Friday. “The procedure lasted over six hours. I’m in recovery, but the pain is tough to handle. It’s a slow process, though I’m hoping to leave the hospital soon. Thank you all for your support.”

The 41-year-old American athlete was competing in Milan-Cortina with a completely torn anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee when the accident occurred. She got caught by a gate, spun around, and suffered a compound fracture of her tibia, crying in agony until she was airlifted to a nearby hospital.

She also shared images of her recently repaired foot, which now holds nearly 20 screws. “I’m truly bionic now,” she joked.

After enduring four surgeries in Italy, Vonn eventually returned home.

“I haven’t been able to stand on my feet in over a week… I’ve been stuck in a hospital bed since the race,” she expressed on Monday. “And even though I can’t stand yet, it feels really good to be back in my hometown.”

She expressed her gratitude to everyone in Italy who supported her during this tough time. The injury isn’t just a simple broken leg, she mentioned; it’s “much more serious than that.”

Reflections on the 2026 Winter Olympics

Vonn shared that she’s still trying to process not only her injury but also what lies ahead. Complicating matters, the day after her accident, she learned that her dog Leo had passed away while she was hospitalized. “These have been some of the hardest days of my life, and I haven’t fully accepted his death,” she reflected.

She had come out of retirement with the goal of competing in the 2026 Olympics, enjoying a successful run of victories throughout the season, aiming for what she claims will be her fifth and final Olympic appearance.