For over two decades, Lindsey Vonn has been one of the top global names in alpine skiing, and as a result, she's had to deal with her fair share of negativity as well.
The champion athlete, 41, began skiing as a child, making her Winter Olympics debut in 2002 at the age of just 17. Her first World Championship medal followed in 2003, then her first Olympic medals (including her only gold) in 2010.
Lindsey retired in 2019, but returned to the sport in 2024 with something to prove, making her Olympic comeback earlier this month. However, following a torn ACL in the days leading up to the Games in Italy, Lindsey's comeback ended tragically when she spun and fractured her tibia just 13 seconds into her final run.
© Getty ImagesShe received extensive surgery to correct the issue, but is now in recovery and looking back on her final time at the Olympics with gratitude. On Instagram on Saturday, February 21, Lindsey posted a recap of her season in response to those online calling her "selfish" for competing at the Olympics despite injuring herself just days prior.
"It was everything"
Set to a cover of Madonna's "Like a Prayer," Lindsey posted a collection of clips from her runs this past year, many of which ended with podium finishes and medals. "It wasn't all for nothing… it was everything. And it wasn't a dream… although sitting in this hospital bed it seems far away now…," she captioned it.
"But I did it. I came back. I won. I showed up and did what most thought was impossible at my age with a partial knee replacement," Lindsey continued. "These memories I'll have forever and I'm grateful for every one of them. Every moment was amazing. Every moment was worth it."
Acknowledging the comments online, she added: "One thing that stung was when people said I was selfish and should give my Olympic spot to someone else. So… I just wanted to recap my season for all the haters out there that don't understand what it means to earn your spot, and on a more positive note, to just reflect…"
She then included some statistics from her past season, ending the downhill standings in first place, ending up on the downhill podium for all her runs this past season, winning twice, "7/8 podiums overall," and more.
"It's not impossible until it's done," she concluded. "I didn't reach my ultimate goal…. But I still did a lot. Thank you to those who believed!"
© InstagramLindsey's health
Since the horrific crash, Lindsey has already undergone five corrective surgeries, last sharing an update on social media with a clip of herself being wheeled into the OR, plus scans of her leg with rods and screws in place already.
"With the extent of the trauma, I've been struggling a bit post op and have not yet been able to be discharged from the hospital just yet… almost there. Baby steps," the Olympian wrote beside it.
© InstagramThe recovery period from the surgeries and injuries will likely be extensive, and there's no word yet from the athlete on how this will affect her future in the sport (she did previously note that this trip to the Olympics would be her last).
