American Ski Star Lindsey Vonn Competes at Winter Olympics
Severely Injured Just 13 Seconds In and Airlifted by Helicopter
On the Same Day, Her Dog Also Passed Away... "My First Love, Always"
It has belatedly come to light that American ski star Lindsey Vonn, who is competing at the Milan-Cortina d'Ampezzo 2026 Winter Olympics, had her dog collapse on the same day she was injured.
According to Yonhap News Agency, on February 18 (local time) Vonn told fans about her dog's death through her social networking service (SNS), saying, "The last few days have probably been the hardest time of my life," and, "It still doesn't feel real that Leo is gone."
Vonn, who pushed ahead with competing at the Olympics despite a torn anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee, entered the women's downhill event at the Tofane Alpine Ski Center in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, on February 8. Just 13 seconds after the start, she hit a gate with her arm, lost balance, and tumbled across the snow. She was airlifted by helicopter to a local hospital, suffered a complex fracture in her left leg, underwent four surgeries, and then returned to the United States.
That day Vonn said, "On the day I had my accident, Leo also collapsed. Leo was recently diagnosed with lung cancer, and his heart just couldn't hold on any longer," adding, "The day after the accident, I said goodbye to Leo from my hospital bed. He stayed by my side when I tore my ACL. He picked me up when I was discouraged, and over the past 13 years we went through so much together."
She continued, "It is a comfort that Leo is no longer in pain. Leo will always be my first love," adding, "Today I am going in for additional surgery. Even when I close my eyes, I will be thinking of Leo."
Vonn, an American ski star, won gold at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics and bronze at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics. She retired in 2019, then returned to competition for these Olympics after having a titanium artificial joint implanted in her knee. However, it is unclear whether she will compete in any more races. Vonn's father said, "If I had had more of a say, there is no way my daughter would have competed," adding, "My daughter's career is over now."
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