Lindsey Vonn is pulling off the seemingly impossible task of continuing her Olympic journey despite a torn ACL, bone bruise and meniscus damage to her left knee. Vonn sustained the injury Jan. 30, when she crashed in a World Cup race and it was assumed it meant the end of her Olympic comeback.
Vonn on Saturday morning — with a large brace covering her injured knee — completed her second Olympic training run in as many days. Vonn crossed in third position, 0.37 seconds behind leader and American teammate Breezy Johnson. No setbacks were revealed, clearing the way for her to compete for the gold in the women’s downhill final on Sunday.
Despite the injury occurring so close to the start of the Winter Games, Vonn was adamant that the setback did not mean the end of her Olympic return. She took the first step to making that come true on Friday and followed that up with Saturday’s outing.
Regardless of where Vonn finishes at the Games, just making it back on the slopes this quick is shocking and impressive. Olympic fans are stunned at her determination as the 41-year-old enters her fifth Olympics.
The recovery time for a torn ACL is usually six to nine months, but athletes could need longer before they return to full intensity workouts. A complete recovery is not expected for most patients until a year, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
There are three types of ACL tears, with Grade One being the least severe and Grade Three being the most severe. It is not publicly known which level tear Vonn has. Since the ACL is surrounded by a joint fluid that inhibits the healing process, most cannot heal on their own. Most ACL tears require surgery to repair, especially for athletes who want to return to their sport.
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Vonn’s first event, women’s downhill, is scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 8 at 5:30 a.m. She also plans to compete in super-G and the team combined event. The three-time Olympic medalist had to sit out a World Cup super-G race the Saturday after the injury, but she’s determined to make that the only run she misses.
“I’m still here. I think I’m still able to fight. I think I’m still able to try,” Vonn reported. “And I will try as long as I have the ability to, I will not go home regretting not trying. I will do everything in my power to be in that starting gate.”
Vonn initially retired in 2019 due to numerous injuries and after a partial knee replacement in April of 2024 she decided to unretire. Vonn now has a titanium implant in her right knee.
Vonn reported as long as there is a chance for her to compete this year, she will take the chance and reflected on how this injury has been different than previous ones.
“I haven’t cried. I haven’t deviated from my plan.” Vonn told reporters at a news conference on Tuesday while speaking about her injury. “Normally, in the past, there’s always a moment where you break down and you realize the severity of things and that your dreams are slipping through your fingers. But I didn’t have that this time. I’m not letting this slip through my fingers. I’m gonna do it. End of story.”
