Lindsey Vonn Will Compete In Olympics With Torn ACL

Lindsey Vonn says she intends to compete in the Olympic Winter Games despite rupturing her ACL in a horrific Jan. 30 downhill accident.

During a press conference Tuesday she confirmed that she is still planning to participate, even though her injury is likely to prevent her from making it to the podium. “I had a feeling it was bad, but I held out hope until I saw the MRI in front of me,” Vonn said.

“But I haven’t cried. I haven’t deviated from my plan… 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.”

“We have been doing extensive therapy, consulting with doctors, been in the gym, and today I went skiing,” Vonn told reporters.

“Considering how my knee feels, it feels stable, I feel strong, my knee is not swollen, and with the help of a knee brace, I am confident that I can compete on Sunday,” she said.

Vonn noted that she understood her physical disadvantage.

“This is not obviously what I had hoped for,” she said.

“I’ve been working really hard to come into these games in a much different position.”

US’ Lindsey Vonn reacts after crashing as she competes in the women’s downhill race part of the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup 2025-2026, in Crans Montana, Switzerland, on January 30, 2026. (Photo by Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP via Getty Images)

The athlete put things in perspective.

“I know what my chances were before the crash, and I know my chance aren’t the same the way it stands today, but I know there’s still a chance, and as long as there’s a chance, I will try.”

“So, that’s where I am,” she said.

US’ Lindsey Vonn reacts after crashing as she competes in the women’s downhill race part of the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup 2025-2026, in Crans Montana, Switzerland, on January 30, 2026. (Photo by Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP via Getty Images)

Vonn is slated to compete in the women’s downhill race Feb. 8.

The three-time Olympian medalist also intended on competing in super-G and the new team combined event.

Vonn suffered her injury while landing a jump in a World Cup race. She appeared to lose control and wound up tangled in the safety nets on the course. Two other racers reportedly also suffered injuries on the same course earlier that same day. (RELATED: ICE Agents Will Be Deployed To Italy For Olympic Games)

“This isn’t my first rodeo,” Vonn told the press.

“It’s hard for me to lose faith in myself and what I know I’m capable of. I know my body very well. I have a high degree of confidence in myself … and it doesn’t matter to me if everyone thinks — maybe I can’t do this with no ACL, but I still believe in myself and that makes me smile. That makes me confident, that makes me happy.”