American skiing legend Lindsey Vonn has been released from Ca' Foncello Hospital in Treviso, Italy, and is en route back to the United States after a catastrophic crash during the women's downhill event at the Milan Cortina Olympics. The discharge occurred on Sunday morning, with Vonn immediately heading to the airport for her return flight home.
Devastating Olympic Crash Ends Comeback Bid
The 41-year-old champion, who emerged from retirement specifically to compete in these Winter Games, suffered a horrific accident on February 8th during her downhill race. Just thirteen seconds into her run, Vonn's arm hooked around a gate, sending her violently flying into the snow and resulting in a complex tibia fracture in her left leg.
Injury-Plagued Career Faces Latest Setback
This devastating injury represents the latest chapter in Vonn's career-long battle with physical setbacks. Remarkably, she was competing through a torn ACL in her left knee sustained just nine days before her Olympic event during a final tune-up race in Crans-Montana, Switzerland.
Despite these challenges, Vonn had demonstrated impressive form leading up to the Games, finishing with the third-best time in the final training run and appearing to be in strong medal contention. She had been striving to become the oldest Alpine skiing medalist in Winter Olympics history, having won two World Cup downhill races this season and achieving podium finishes in three others.
Multiple Surgeries and Recovery Ahead
Since the crash, Vonn has undergone four surgeries on her injured left leg, with additional procedures expected upon her return to the United States. Medical professionals have not yet determined whether she will require immediate hospitalization upon arrival home, but further surgical interventions are anticipated as part of her recovery process.
Vonn's Emotional Message to Supporters
In a lengthy Instagram post shared on Saturday, Vonn addressed her supporters with a message of resilience and determination. She expressed gratitude for the outpouring of empathy and support while specifically requesting that fans avoid feelings of sadness or sympathy.
"I have been reading a lot of messages and comments saying that what has happened to me makes them sad. Please, don't be sad," Vonn wrote. "Empathy, love and support I welcome with an open heart, but please not sadness or sympathy. I hope instead it gives you strength to keep fighting, because that is what I am doing and that is what I will continue to do. Always."
No Regrets and a Promise to Return
The Olympic champion reflected thoughtfully on her decision to compete despite the risks, emphasizing that she entered the starting gate fully aware of potential consequences. "When I think back on my crash, I didn't stand in the starting gate unaware of the potential consequences. I knew what I was doing. I chose to take a risk," she explained. "Every skier in that starting gate took the same risk. Because even if you are the strongest person in the world, the mountain always holds the cards."
Vonn concluded her message with a powerful declaration of her enduring passion for skiing and a vow to return to the sport. "So please, don't feel sad. The ride was worth the fall. When I close my eyes at night I don't have regrets and the love I have for skiing remains. I am still looking forward to the moment when I can stand on the top of the mountain once more. And I will."
The three-time Olympic medalist, who won gold in downhill at the 2010 Vancouver Games along with two bronze medals, had previously retired in 2019 after accumulating more than 80 World Cup victories throughout her storied career. Her attempted comeback and subsequent injury have captivated the skiing world and sports fans globally.
