Skiing legend Lindsey Vonn suffered a 'complex tibia fracture' requiring multiple surgeries after a devastating crash in the Olympic downhill, effectively ending her career. The incident sparked debate about her decision to compete with a prior ACL injury.
Lindsey Vonn sustained a 'complex tibia fracture' that will require multiple surgeries following her crash in the Olympic downhill. Vonn, who had ruptured her ACL nine days prior but chose to compete, posted on Instagram that she has no regrets despite the intense pain. While onlookers questioned if her pre-existing ACL injury contributed to the crash, Vonn explicitly stated it was due to being '5 inches too tight on my line' and hooking a gate, causing her to twist. Her father, Alan Kildow, declared her career over, vowing she would not race again. Despite the severity of the crash, FIS president Johan Eliasch and other athletes defended Vonn's decision to compete, emphasizing athlete autonomy and the inherent dangers of downhill skiing, with Eliasch calling it a 'one in a 1,000' unlucky accident. Teammates and officials reiterated that her ACL injury was not a factor in the crash.
