Olympic skier Lindsey Vonn is pushing back against critics after completing a tough downhill training run at the 2026 Winter Olympics just one week after completely tearing her ACL. Vonn, who has won three Olympic medals, is returning to the Milano Cortina Olympics after six years of retirement with a knee that is completely damaged.
According to People, the 41-year-old skier finished her first downhill training run on Friday in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, days after her serious injury. The injury happened in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, where she lost control during a run and ended up in the safety nets.
When news spread online, medical professionals began questioning how this was possible. Dr. Brian Joseph Sutterer, a sports medicine doctor known for his online videos, questioned the injury on X. He suggested Vonn’s ACL might not have been a fresh tear and pointed out a “VERY important aspect of this that we do not know,” which was the condition of her ACL before the crash.
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Elite athletes can recover faster, but Vonn’s situation is truly exceptional
Sutterer’s theory was that top athletes often adapt when an ACL is already torn for a long time, meaning the body learns to compensate and muscles retrain to support the knee. He noted that someone with a prior injury or surgery might not feel as much pain or swelling with another injury. “Bottom line, I don’t think this was a bread and butter, fresh ACL tear like everyone is thinking,” he said.
Vonn quickly responded to shut down his guesses. “Lol thanks doc,” she wrote on X. She then explained the facts, stating, “My ACL was fully functioning until last Friday.” She made clear the full extent of the damage, confirming, “And yes, my ACL is 100% ruptured. Not 80% or 50%. It’s 100% gone.”
She challenged his claim that her achievement was medically impossible, adding, “Just because it seems impossible to you doesn’t mean it’s not possible.” The doctor later followed up, saying he wasn’t trying to reduce her accomplishment, which he called “insanely impressive.”
He explained he was curious about “how quickly people can function after an ACL tear,” but Vonn’s response made it clear she was not competing on an old injury. Like other athletes facing challenges, she continues to show incredible mental strength.
Vonn also faced criticism about her age after sports medicine educator Greg Graber published an opinion piece about her injury. The article questioned why she was taking such a risk “at my age,” suggesting she might be searching for meaning or that “The pain may be the point.” While former NFL star Darron Lee faces serious legal troubles, Vonn is focused on her Olympic dreams despite the criticism.
Vonn called the piece a “very odd opinion piece” and said the “ageism stuff is getting really old.” She explained her identity isn’t connected to competition, but to her love of the sport. She noted she had been retired for six years and has an amazing life, so she doesn’t need to ski, “but I love to ski.”
Her dedication mirrors how Hailee Steinfeld maintains her strong marriage through commitment and clear priorities. “I came all this way for one final Olympics and I’m going to go and do my best, ACL or no. It’s as simple as that,” she stated. Vonn still plans to compete in the downhill medal event scheduled for Sunday, February 8, 2026.
Published: Feb 8, 2026 12:45 pm