Fans of Lindsey Vonn need not fret for long, the ski racer is doing okay!
The American athlete, 41, suffered a tragic seeming end to her Olympic run on Sunday, February 8 at the Milano Cortina Games, when she crashed during the women's downhill final just 13 seconds into her run.
© Getty ImagesLindsey had completed two training runs at the Olimpia delle Tofane course in Cortina, but it was her final run that led to a horrific injury. Just nine days prior to the event, she had completely "ruptured" her ACL, but confirmed that she would be skiing anyway.
Fortunately, just a few hours after she was airlifted off the course following the crash, the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team confirmed on social media that the Alpine skiing icon was in "stable" condition.
© Getty Images"Update: Lindsey Vonn sustained an injury, but is in stable condition and in good hands with a team of American and Italian physicians," they shared on X (formerly Twitter).
Later, it was confirmed by the local governor, Luca Zaia, that Lindsey had undergone surgery pertaining to a fracture sustained in her left leg.
Speaking with NBC, Dr. Jeff Harrison, a physician for the U.S. alpine ski team, said it was "very tough" to witness Lindsey's final Olympic run come to such an end. "Very heroic on her part, and I'm sorry it ended this way."
Prior to the games, after tearing her ACL, Lindsey put out a lengthy statement acknowledging the injury, which she capped off with: "I know what my chances in these Olympics were before this crash, and even though my chances aren't the same now, there is still a chance. And as long as I have a chance, I will not lose hope. I will not give up! It's not over yet!"
© Getty ImagesWhile there has been no official word from Lindsey herself since the accident, a day before her final run, she posted a lengthy message on her Instagram page, recognizing her final run at the Olympics. Her career as an Olympian began back in 2002, when she was just 17, and now includes three medals, including a 2010 gold.
"Just getting to these Olympics has been a journey, and one that some did not believe in from the start," she penned. "I retired for 6 years, and because of a partial knee replacement, I had the chance to compete one more time."
© Getty Images"I am not unsure about life outside of sport," the athlete continued. "I am not searching for meaning or for attention or money. I know exactly who I am and I know exactly what I am made of."
She concluded: "I will race tomorrow in my final Olympic Downhill and while I can't guarantee a good result, I can guarantee I will give it everything I have. But no matter what happens, I have already won. The outpouring of love and support over the past few days has been overwhelming in the best way. It has given me energy and helped me more than I can describe. Thank you."
