Olympic champion alpine skier Lindsey Vonn has sustained a knee injury during a World Cup downhill event in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, just one week before the Winter Olympics. The incident occurred during a jump landing that caused the American skier to lose control and collide with safety netting.
The competition, part of the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup series, was subsequently canceled due to deteriorating course conditions and safety concerns. Vonn was among three athletes who crashed during the event, prompting race officials to halt the competition entirely. The International Ski Federation (FIS) issued a statement confirming the cancellation was necessary to prioritize athlete safety after multiple competitors experienced difficulties on the course.
Despite the injury, the 41-year-old skier remains determined to compete in the upcoming Winter Games. Through social media, Vonn declared: ‘My Olympic dream is not over,’ while acknowledging the challenging timing of the incident. Medical evaluations are ongoing as she consults with her medical team regarding treatment options and recovery possibilities.
Vonn, who won Olympic downhill gold in 2010, has demonstrated remarkable resilience throughout her career. She recently made history by becoming the oldest downhill World Cup winner in December 2023 after nearly six years away from competitive skiing. Her comeback journey included recovering from an ACL injury that prevented her participation in the 2022 Beijing Games and undergoing partial knee replacement surgery.
The Winter Olympics are scheduled to commence in Milan-Cortina on February 6th, with the women’s downhill event set for February 8th. Vonn’s participation remains uncertain as medical professionals assess the extent of her knee injury. Norwegian skier Marte Monsen also required medical attention after a separate crash during the same event, sustaining facial injuries that necessitated stretcher evacuation.