American skiing legend Lindsey Vonn has said she has “no regrets” after suffering a serious leg fracture in a dramatic crash during the women’s downhill final at the Winter Olympics in Cortina, Italy.
The 41-year-old crashed just seconds into her run after clipping a gate while airborne and was immediately airlifted to hospital for treatment.
Vonn later confirmed that she sustained a complex fracture of the tibia, an injury that will require multiple surgeries. She said the fracture is currently stable and that she has already undergone an initial procedure.
Despite the severity of the accident, Vonn remained resolute. In a message shared on social media, she acknowledged that her Olympic journey did not end as she had hoped but described the experience as deeply meaningful. She said she knowingly accepted the risks associated with ski racing and stood by her decision to compete.
The downhill champion was competing in what was expected to be her fifth and final Olympic Games, despite managing ongoing injuries, including a recently torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).
Following strong training performances earlier in the week, she was still viewed as a potential medal contender.
Vonn returned to elite competition last season after nearly six years of retirement and a partial knee replacement, underlining the remarkable nature of her comeback.
Olympic officials confirmed that the decision for Vonn to race was entirely her own and was fully supported by her medical and coaching teams.
While her Olympic campaign ended abruptly, Vonn said she pursued her dream, embraced the challenge, and accepted the risks that came with it.
