The 41-year-old is planning on doing the near-impossible by competing with a torn ACL.
Lindsey Vonn of Team United States (Image: (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images))
Despite tearing her ACL in a crash on Friday, skiing icon and gold medal contender Lindsey Vonn has disclosed that she still intends to compete at the Winter Olympics in Italy. The American is expected to be in action in just a few days when the downhill competition begins this weekend.
However, the 41 year old, who currently leads the World Cup downhill standings with two victories and five podium finishes in five races, plans to compete. Vonn, who was romantically involved with golf legend Tiger Woods for two years, is pushing her team to their limits to ensure she’s fit to compete.
“I’m leaning on everyone on my team,” Vonn stated at a press conference in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. “Everyone is working as hard as they can to get me to a place where I feel confident.
“This is obviously not what I hoped for,” she added. “I have been working really hard to come into these Games in a much different position.
“I know what my chances were before the crash and I know that my chances aren’t the same as it stands now. But I know there is still a chance.”, reports the Mirror.
“As long as there is a chance, I’ll try. That’s where I am.”
Vonn sustained the severe injury after falling in the final World Cup downhill event before the Olympics in Crans-Montana last Friday. The veteran was airlifted away from the finish area.
Her knee has provided some stability in recent days, but Vonn has yet to attempt a run at full speed. The three-time Olympic medallist, who is in the second year of a comeback from a five-year retirement, has found success whilst injured before.
Vonn referenced the 2019 world championships, where she skied with knee injuries and still medalled. “Thankfully, actually, all of my experience in my life has given me a lot of confidence in what my body can and cannot do,” she said.
“I’ve been in this position before. I know how to handle it. … Even though I don’t want to be in this position, I know to handle it.”
Vonn did not confirm her Olympic schedule, waiting until she attempts a training run. She was also slated as a medal contender in the team combined and super-G events.
“I wish I wasn’t in this position,” she said. “But this is where I am, and I’m going to do the best I can.”
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