Lindsey Vonn Sets Her Sights on Fifth Winter Olympics Despite Injury

Known as the “Iron Lady,” Olympic skier Lindsey Vonn, 41, has declared her intention to compete in the Winter Olympics, even after injuring her anterior cruciate ligament last week. This will mark her participation in her fifth Winter Olympics.

Vonn suffered a complete tear of her anterior cruciate ligament, along with a bone bruise and meniscus tear, following a fall during a World Cup downhill event in Switzerland.

“I depend on my team—my physical therapist, doctors, coaches, and trainers. They’re all putting in the effort to help me feel confident and ready to give it my all,” Vonn shared with reporters in Cortina, Italy.

The anterior cruciate ligament, usually a concern for athletes in sports like basketball and football, can also affect skiers like Vonn. Dr. Rais Jazrawi, a sports orthopedic surgeon, noted that finding patients with such injuries spans from beginners to seasoned athletes. “Going downhill, especially in icy conditions, can put your knee in positions that lead to tears,” he explained.

When the anterior cruciate ligament tears, it often results in a noticeable popping sound and immediate instability in the knee—something Vonn is worried about as she heads into the event.

While neither Vonn nor her team discussed the exact nature of her injury, Jazrawi indicated she might be facing “a possibly low-grade ACL injury without additional ligament tears.”

It’s worth noting that knee injuries can severely limit motion, affect weight-bearing ability, and lead to cartilage damage, especially if not treated properly.

“Skiing following such an injury could potentially worsen both short and long-term damage,” cautioned Dr. James Giordano, an orthopedic surgeon. “An unstable knee like this puts other stabilizing structures, such as the meniscus, at risk for injury.”

With the downhill skiing speeds typically reaching up to 130 mph, it’s easy to see how joint problems can arise for any athlete, even those without injuries.

According to Giordano, Vonn faces some considerable challenges leading up to her first event, the women’s downhill, on February 8. “She’ll need to focus on rehabilitation to regain strength and explosiveness, as her knee stability will be a concern when skiing at high speeds,” he remarked.

Jazrawi also highlighted the sport’s twisting motions as further complicating factors.

“In practice runs, she’ll feel the impact of weight and forces while racing down the hill,” he added.

Vonn isn’t new to injury struggles. She remarked to reporters, “I’ve dealt with this type of situation before. I didn’t want to be here again, but I’m facing it and will do my best.”

Her actual participation and performance will depend on how she feels during the initial training run scheduled for Thursday.

Doctors and trainers will likely keep a close watch on her knee and its stability during these practice sessions.

They’ll likely ask her questions about how the knee feels and whether she’s confident in her ability to ski effectively.

Jazrawi expressed optimism, noting that Vonn might still deliver an Olympic-level performance. He mentioned that athletes like Tiger Woods have managed to compete with torn ACLs in the past. “She has strong quads and is an elite athlete—there’s potential here,” he said.

Dr. Rais Jazrawi further emphasized the psychological aspect, acknowledging that this is Vonn’s final Olympic chance. “So, in a way, everything might be working in her favor,” he noted.

Dr. Andrea Panzeri from the Italian Winter Sports Federation added that many athletes have competed successfully at high levels with ACL injuries. He pointed out examples of previous skiers, like Sofia Goggia, who won a silver medal even after a partial tear.

“Vonn brings a wealth of experience and physical ability to this course,” Panzeri commented, suggesting it’s worth a shot for her.

Vonn returned to skiing on Tuesday, wearing a knee brace. Dr. Jazrawi mentioned a lack of significant swelling in her knee, which could be a promising sign for her recovery. “If swelling occurs, it impacts quad function—an obstacle, especially in aggressive skiing,” he said.

Vonn, who previously won a bronze medal at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics, announced her retirement for five years. However, she underwent successful partial replacement surgery on her right knee in April 2024.

Despite initial doubts regarding her ability to compete again, she impressively finished second in the super-G event at last year’s World Cup finals.

Jazrawi and Giordano pointed out that Vonn faces significant mental challenges as she prepares to race.

“Maintaining mental confidence is crucial, especially after an ACL tear,” Giordano said. While Jazrawi expressed a more upbeat outlook, suggesting that regardless of the outcome, her participation represents a significant step.

“This is her last chance. She’s said so. So, for me, everything seems to align in her favor. She’s a warrior, tackling challenges head-on,” he emphasized.

In discussing her knee, Vonn mentioned, “I feel stable and strong,” adding, “I’ll do everything I can to reach the starting gate.”