![[US, Mexico & Canada customers only] Feb 6, 2026; Cortina d'Ampezzo, ITALY; Lindsey Vonn of the United States in the finish area during women's downhill training during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at the Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre.](https://statico.profootballnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/09033111/02-09-26-5-1920x1280.jpg "Lil Wayne Becomes Unexpected Hype Man for Lindsey Vonn and Team USA at 2026 Winter Olympics")
Lindsey Vonn received acclaim from rapper Lil Wayne, who also became a hype man for Team USA at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics. Vonn inspired the entire sporting community with her success story in the 2025-26 World Cup season but faced a tough fate in her first race on the Tofane course on Feb. 8, 2026.
The 41-year-old crashed in the initial seconds of her signature event, putting a stop to her campaign, and is continuing to be under constant medical attention.
Lil Wayne Hypes Team USA and Shouts Out to Lindsey Vonn
Vonn returned to the sport after six years during the 2024–25 World Cup season and earned a silver podium finish in the Super-G. That result set her up to silence doubts and go the extra mile for a stronger return to the slopes in the 2025–26 season. The Olympic gold medalist added two more golds and additional podium finishes to her collection, leaving room for at least one Olympic gold in her career‑final Games.
However, things took an unexpected turn when she fell on the Crans-Montana course, rupturing the ACL of her left knee. She was also left with meniscal damage and bone bruising. Nevertheless, she planned to take another trip to the Games after being cleared by the medical team.
The limited time for recovery weighed heavily on Vonn. She crashed once again on the Tofane course and was unable to finish the downhill race. Shortly afterward, support and well-wishes poured in from all over the U.S. Even rapper Lil Wayne joined in, commending her willpower and determination to show what’s possible. He wrote:
“Lindsey I fkn luv ya heart ,will, determination and sacrifice for the success of your team and country. Need more like ya. Respect ma!”
He also shouted out to Johnson for making history and wished Team USA all the luck.
“BREEZY F BABY THE F IS FOR FIRST AROUND DIS BISH! Congrats 2 Breezy Johnson, u a golden girl forever! U go hard af! Luv 2da whole team GO USA!”
Johnson earned the athlete-heavy American team’s first gold at the Milan-Cortina Olympics. She also became the second-ever downhill top finisher at that stage since Vonn in 2010.
READ MORE: Lindsey Vonn’s Courageous Olympic Return Ends in Heartbreak After Devastating Downhill Crash
Vonn had opened up about her Olympic plans in multiple media interactions. She was clear that she opted to give it another go because she felt free of pain after her partial knee replacement surgery in 2024, and not to prove anything to anyone who doubted her worth. But the 41-year-old’s recent heartbreak put a stop to the dreams, as she required medical attention just 13 seconds into her race.
She was receiving treatment in the Ca’ Foncello Hospital in the northern city of Treviso, and as per the hospital’s statement, she underwent orthopedic surgery to address her already injured left knee.
