Lindsey Vonn is not going to let a silly thing like a major knee injury get in her way of competing at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
The U.S. alpine skiing legend announced on Tuesday that despite suffering a “completely torn” ACL during a crash last week, she plans to competing in the Milan-Cortina Olympics.
Vonn, 41, addressed her status for the Games during a press conference, saying that she will do everything she can to compete despite the injury.
“I’m still here. I think I’m still able to fight. I think I’m still able to try. And I will try as long as I have the ability to, I will not go home regretting not trying,” Vonn told reporters. “I will do everything in my power to be in that starting gate.”
Vonn also shared that she tested out her knee earlier in the day by going skiing and that it feels stable and strong. She also said she is not in pain and that her knee is not swollen.
“This is not, obviously, what I had hoped for,” Vonn said. “I’ve been working really hard to come into these Games in a much different position. I know what my chances were before the crash, and I know my chances aren’t the same as it stands today, but I know there’s still a chance, and as long as there’s a chance, I will try.”
What is Vonn’s Olympic history?
Vonn has competed in four previous Winter Olympics, starting with her debut at the 2002 Games in Salt Lake City.
She has won three medals during her Olympic career – a gold and bronze in Vancouver 2010 and another bronze in Pyeongchang, South Korea, in 2018.
During the press conference, she said her main goal is to compete in the downhill – which begins on Sunday — and will make decisions on the team combined and super-G following that event..
“Considering how my knee feels,” Vonn said, “I feel stable, I feel strong, my knee is not swollen, and with the help of a knee brace, I am confident that I can compete on Sunday.”
What is the full extent for her injury?
While Vonn said that she suffered a ruptured ACL during her press conference, the skier revealed the full extent to her injury in an Instagram post later on Tuesday.
According to her post, Vonn completely tore her left ACL while further injuries to her knee were
“I completely tore my ACL last Friday,” she wrote in her post. “I also sustained a bone bruise (which is a common injury when you tear your ACL), plus meniscal tears but it’s unclear how much of that was there previously and what was new from the crash.”
Vonn also thanked those who have supported her during this difficult time and vowed to not lose hope, while reaffirming her commitment to competing this weekend.
“After extensive consultations with doctors, intense therapy, physical tests as well as skiing today, I have determined I am capable of competing in the Olympic Downhill on Sunday,” she wrote, adding that she is “confident in my body’s ability to perform.”
How did Vonn suffer the injury?
The U.S. ski star lost control after landing a jump and skidded into the safety nets just seconds into her run at the course in Crans-Montana, Switzerland.
She received medical attention for about five minutes and then got up on her own but appeared to be in pain and was using her poles to steady herself.
She was then seen slowly skiing to the finish line, stopping a few times to take the weight off her left leg.
Teammate Jacqueline Wile met her at the finish line, where the two shared an embrace before Vonn limped into a medical tent for further evaluation.
This past weekend, the 41-year-old took to Instagram after the incident with a statement. She said she will undergo further exams and is in discussion with her doctors and team.
“This is a very difficult outcome one week before the Olympics, but if there’s one thing I know how to do, it’s a comeback,” she wrote.
“My Olympic dream is not over. Thank you for all of the love and support. I will give more information when I have it.”