Lindsey Vonn Defies Injury to Chase Olympic Glory One Last Time
Lindsey Vonn, the 41-year-old American skier, is pushing to compete in Sunday's downhill race at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. Despite a ruptured ACL, bone bruising, and possible meniscal damage in her left knee, she remains determined to race. Her focus is clear: honouring her late mother and a beloved childhood coach by taking to the slopes one more time.
Vonn's injury has raised concerns, but her team insists she is capable of racing. Until Tuesday, she relied on a crutch, though she has since stopped using it. On that same day, she tested high-speed skiing without complications.
Her head coach, Chris Knight, acknowledges the risks given her age and past injuries. Yet he remains confident in her ability to compete at a high level. All medical and performance indicators suggest she can handle the downhill event.
Behind the scenes, a team of physical therapists and trainers has worked intensively to prepare her. Vonn and her crew have even expressed hope for a weather-related cancellation of Thursday's training session. Extra recovery time could ease the strain on her injured knee.
This would mark Vonn's fourth Olympic appearance, following gold in Vancouver 2010, bronze in Sotschi 2014, and a previous outing in Pyeongchang 2018. Surgery has not been discussed, as her sole priority is Sunday's race.
Vonn's participation in the Olympics hinges on her body's response in the coming days. If she races, it will be a testament to her resilience and the support of her medical team. The downhill event on Sunday could become a defining moment in her storied career.
