American ski star Lindsey Vonn has said she has torn the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in her left leg, but is still very hopeful she can compete in the Winter Olympics that start in a few days.
The 41-year-old was airlifted to a hospital in Switzerland on Friday after collapsing in the final World Cup alpine skiing race before the Winter Olympics.
The former Olympic champion said her knee feels "stable, strong and not swollen." She feels confident she will compete in the freestyle event in Cortina on Sunday.
The Winter Olympics are held from February 6 to 22 in Milan and Cortina, Italy.
"This is definitely not what I was hoping for. I've worked hard to come to these Games in a very different position," Vonn said at a press conference on Tuesday.
also
Competing with a torn ligament, Lindsey Vonn collapses at the start of the race
"I know what my chances were before the accident and I know my chances are not the same." "Now. But I know there's still a chance. As long as there's a chance, I'll try. I'm here," the famous American skier added.
The four-time world champion retired from the sport in 2019. But she made a stunning comeback in December 2024, after partial replacement of her right knee.
She arrived in Cortina as the world number one in the freestyle event. She won two World Cup events this season, and had three other podium finishes. And she was considered one of the favorites for an Olympic gold medal.
The injury casts doubt on whether Vonn will be able to compete. The American admitted that just getting to the start on Sunday would be "a pretty good comeback, if I can do it."
"It's not something unfamiliar to me. I've done it before. I wish I wasn't in this position, but I am and I'm going to do my best," said Lindsey Vonn.
"I won't go home regretting not trying. I'll do everything in my power to be at the start of the race."
also
Vonn crashes, Johnson wins gold in freestyle
Vonn said she skied in Cortina on Tuesday and her knee felt good and pain-free. But she added that she won't know for sure how it feels until she skis the downhill course.
"I know how my knee felt with previous injuries and how it felt in all the physical tests. And I can say that I feel much better now than in the past."
Vonn added that she will take things "day by day" and does not know if she will be able to compete in the team and Super-G events, which take place on February 10 and 12.
Vonn was racing in the World Cup in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, on Friday when she lost control after a jump. She says she has torn her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), as well as bruising and meniscus damage.
Friday's event was later canceled due to bad weather conditions. Vonn was the third skier to fall.
also
American star injured on the eve of the Olympics
Vonn's illustrious career, which includes an Olympic gold medal and two bronzes, has been plagued by injuries. But she is undeterred by the fact that the competition in Cortina has suddenly become significantly more challenging.
"I'm a week away from something I never thought was possible. This is the icing on the cake. I never expected to be here. It seemed like a great opportunity to end my career the way I wanted. It didn't go exactly the way I wanted, but I don't want to regret anything. I'm going to do it, end of story. I'm not going to let myself go down that road. I'm not going to cry, I'm holding my head up high. I'm going to stand tall and do my best. Whatever the outcome is, it will be what it is," Vonn said.
