Lindsey Vonn, who underwent her fourth surgical procedure after a tragic accident on the 2026 Winter Olympics, is not in search of any sympathy.
“As we speak’s surgical procedure went effectively!” Fortunately, I can lastly return to America! After I get again, I am going to offer you updates and details about the harm…however till then, as I sit right here in mattress and mirror, I’ve some ideas to share…,” Vonn, 41, wrote on Instagram on Saturday, February 14, alongside a video of the Olympian snowboarding.
“I learn a variety of messages and feedback saying what occurred to me saddened them,” Vonn continued. “Please, do not be unhappy. I welcome empathy, love, and assist with an open coronary heart, however please do not be unhappy or pity. As an alternative, I hope it offers you the power to maintain combating, as a result of that is what I do and can proceed to do. At all times.”
Vonn added, “After I suppose again to the crash, I did not stand within the beginning gate not figuring out the potential penalties. I knew what I used to be doing. I selected to take the danger. Each skier in that beginning gate took the identical threat, as a result of even in case you are the strongest particular person on the planet, the mountain at all times has its playing cards.”
Crew USA supporters and followers all over the world have been following Vonn’s path to the 2026 Winter Olympics since she introduced her return to skilled snowboarding. (Von retired in 2019 after the world championships in Sweden, however introduced she would return in 2024.)
Vonn fully tore her anterior cruciate ligament whereas competing in a World Cup race in Switzerland on January 30, simply 9 days earlier than the Olympic competitors.
“After thorough session with my medical doctors, intensive therapy, bodily examination, and snowboarding at this time, I’ve decided that I’m able to compete within the Olympic downhill on Sunday,” Vonn mentioned on February 1, noting that she plans to compete within the race despite the fact that her anterior cruciate ligament is unbroken. “After all, I’ve to do one coaching session for Sunday’s race, however…I’m assured in my physique’s means to carry out. Regardless of the harm, my knee is secure, there is no such thing as a swelling, and my muscular tissues are firing and responding usually.”
Vonn participated within the ladies’s downhill on Sunday, February eighth. Tragically, she crashed 13 seconds into her run and was finally airlifted from the observe to a hospital in Italy. Bong then “underwent orthopedic surgical procedure to stabilize a reported fracture in his left leg” and was “handled by a multidisciplinary group,” in response to an announcement launched by Cafonchero Hospital on the time.
“I used to be keen to take dangers, push and sacrifice for one thing that I completely knew I used to be able to,” Vonn continued on Saturday. “I at all times strive my finest, risking a crash. I might by no means wish to cross, moderately than attain my full potential and remorse not snowboarding.” [a] On the end line, you say, “What if?” And to be fully trustworthy, I used to be bodily stronger at that second than I had been up to now. I am positively stronger than when it ended [my] He began his profession in 2019 by successful a bronze medal on the World Championships. ”
Vonn added: “And mentally… mentally I used to be excellent. Clear, centered, hungry, aggressive, but fully calm… Identical as I have been training for the previous few months as I have been on the rostrum in each downhill this season. Two wins and main the standings… It was all a take a look at to organize for the Olympics. Mentally, I used to be extra prepared than ever.”
Vonn concluded her submit by declaring that “being prepared” for the 2026 Winter Olympics “does not assure something.”
“Nothing in life is assured. It is a gamble to observe your desires. You would possibly fail, however you may by no means know for those who do not strive,” she added. “So please, do not be unhappy. This run was well worth the fall. After I shut my eyes at night time, I’ve no regrets and my love for snowboarding stays. I nonetheless sit up for the second once I can stand on high of a mountain once more. And I’ll.”



