Lindsey Vonn has the full support of her teammate Breezy Johnson at the 2026 Olympics, even as she powers through an ACL injury.
“There will be six Americans running the Downhill training runs and if Lindsey cannot compete … or doesn’t feel competitive enough others can take her place,” Johnson, 30, wrote via Threads on Wednesday, February 4. “But more athletes have competed without an ACL than you think.”
She continued, “They just often don’t talk about it because they don’t want to hear about it from the peanut gallery.”
Johnson and Vonn, 41, are both alpine skiers representing Team USA in the Milano Cortina games, which kick off on Friday, February 6. Days before the competition commenced, Vonn revealed that she was nursing an injury in her ACL.
“I completely tore my ACL last Friday,” she said in a Tuesday, February 3, Instagram video. “I also sustained a bone bruise (which is a common injury when you tear your ACL), plus meniscal tears but it’s unclear how much of that was there previously and what was new from the crash.”
Vonn continued, “This was obviously incredibly hard news to receive one week before the Olympics. I really appreciate everyone giving me time and space to process what happened and find a way forward.”
Despite her injury, Vonn still planned to race in the Winter Olympics.
“After extensive consultations with doctors, intense therapy, physical tests as well as skiing today, I have determined I am capable of competing in the Olympic Downhill on Sunday,” Vonn said in her statement. “Of course I will still need to do one training run, as is required to race on Sunday, but … I am confident in my body’s ability to perform. Despite my injuries my knee is stable, I do not have swelling and my muscles are firing and reacting as they should.”
According to Vonn, she would continue “to evaluate with [her] medical team on a daily basis” for any changes.
“I have every intention of competing on Sunday,” she concluded.
The gold medalist initially retired from the Olympic circuit in 2019 before her comeback five years later in 2024.
“I know what my chances in these Olympics were before this crash, and even though my chances aren’t the same now, there is still a chance,” Vonn added on Tuesday. “And as long as I have a chance, I will not lose hope. I will not give up! It’s not over yet. Thank you to everyone who has reached out and supported me. I feel the love and it is giving me strength.”
Vonn recently sustained an injury during her World Cup Race in Switzerland late last month.
“I crashed today in the Downhill race in Switzerland and injured my left knee,” she wrote via Instagram on January 30. “I am discussing the situation with my doctors and team and will continue to undergo further exams. This is a very difficult outcome one week before the Olympics, but if there’s one thing I know how to do, it’s a comeback.”
She added at the time, “My Olympic dream is not over. Thank you for all of the love and support. I will give more information when I have it. Thank you to all the medical staff who helped me today. I am grateful for all the incredible help I received.”
