Lindsey Vonn is acutely aware of the hurdles ahead as she gears up for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, especially considering she has a torn ACL.
After suffering a knee injury during a downhill race in Switzerland last Friday, Vonn was airlifted for medical attention. Speaking on Tuesday, she referred to her “biggest problem” as “joint instability” as she prepares for her fifth and final Olympic appearance.
“The anterior cruciate ligament plays a crucial role in stabilizing the knee. Without it, everything can get misaligned, leading to bone displacement. It’s not a pleasant feeling. Thankfully, I’m not experiencing that right now. My main focus is keeping the knee stable, which is why I’m using a brace to avoid further injury. My meniscus isn’t in great shape either, so that adds to the concern,” the Italian alpine skier explained.
Vonn, a gold medalist in downhill skiing, reassured, “As long as I maintain stability, wear the brace, and manage swelling while my muscles stay functional, I should be okay.”
“I can’t predict what will happen during significant turns, but I guess we’ll find out after the first training session,” she added.
Following the unfortunate incident, there were doubts about Vonn’s participation in the upcoming Games, but she remained optimistic.
“I’m not in pain at the moment. Initially, I was worried because I was in discomfort after the fall, which is why I was flown to the hospital. I sensed something was wrong, but I held on to hope until I saw the MRI results. I haven’t let myself break down over this; my determination hasn’t wavered. Usually, when things get tough, it leads to that painful realization, but I’m not letting this slip away,” she stated.
This will mark a significant comeback for Vonn, who retired in 2019 due to injuries throughout her career.
She made her return to skiing in 2024 after undergoing partial knee replacement that same year.
Vonn successfully qualified for the Winter Olympics the following year.
“It’s truly an honor to represent my country again in my fifth and final Olympics!” she shared on Instagram in December. “When I made the decision to return to racing, Cortina was always in my sights because it holds a special place in my heart.”
“I can’t assure you of the outcome, but I promise to give it my all every time I push off the starting line. Regardless of how things turn out, I already feel like a winner,” she concluded.
The first events of the 2026 Winter Olympics are set to kick off on Wednesday, leading up to the opening ceremony on Friday.
