Lindsey Vonn is all set to go for gold. The 41-year-old skier is aiming for ultimate glory in her fifth and possibly final appearance as an alpine skier for the United States of America at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics. Vonn had initially retired from the sport in 2019, only to return in late 2024.
Despite a concerning ACL injury, the alpine skier has refused to back off from her Olympic dream.
Lindsey Vonn Turns Emotional On ‘Final’ Olympics
Vonn recently shared an image of herself in the national gear on her Instagram account. The 41-year-old alpine skier penned a long post on Instagram about her motive for her ‘final attempt’ at Olympic glory.
The post started with one line, which read, “Tomorrow: One last Olympic downhill run…”
“Just getting to these Olympics has been a journey, and one that some did not believe in from the start. I retired for 6 years, and because of a partial knee replacement, I had the chance to compete one more time. But why? Everyone seems to be asking me that question. But I think the answer is simple… I just love ski racing,” Vonn wrote, expressing her love for the sport.
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Speed Queen, as she is known, also revealed her thoughts about life after sport. According to the veteran alpine skier:
“I am not unsure about life outside of sport. 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. I am the product of amazing parents who showed me that hard work and determination pay off.”
Vonn then wrote about the influence of her parents, writing, “My Mother, who is watching over me, taught me the power of positivity and resilience. My Father, who will be watching in the stands with my family and friends, taught me hard work and mental toughness. I will stand in the starting gate tomorrow and know I am strong. Know that I believe in myself.”
Talking about her injuries, she also wrote, “Know that the odds are stacked against me with my age, no ACL, and a titanium knee- but know that I still believe. And usually, when the odds are stacked against me the most, I pull the best of what’s inside me out.”
Vonn is already on track to become a World Cup winner, even if just in one category [women’s downhill]. She last won an Olympic medal at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics, when she clinched bronze in the women’s downhill.
Despite the ACL injury turning out to be a matter of concern, Vonn is hell bent on participating for one last time. If she manages to achieve the unthinkable [the Olympic gold medal], this would be the perfect swansong for one of the most high-profile skiers in alpine skiing to date.
