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Lindsey Vonn Reveals ‘First-Time’ Decision After Nearly Losing Her Leg

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Sami Haider | Last updated Mar 18, 2026 10:16 AM ET

Lindsey Vonn, 41, arrived at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, having ruptured her ACL nine days earlier from a World Cup race in Switzerland. Then in the Olympics she faced something more scary. During her downhill event, she clipped a gate 13.4 seconds into her run, cartwheeled down the slope, and was airlifted to a hospital.

Beyond a broken leg, she had a complex fracture in her tibia, fibula head, and tibial plateau. She also developed compartment syndrome, a condition where internal swelling cuts off blood flow to muscles and nerves. Dr. Tom Hackett, a Team USA surgeon, performed an emergency fasciotomy to save her leg from amputation.

The scariest part? She underwent at least five surgeries in 10 days, including a six-hour reconstructive procedure on Feb. 18. Following her discharge, Vonn confirmed she was confined to a wheelchair.

Olympic athlete Lindsey Vonn.Leonhard Foeger/Reuters via Imagn Images

Doctors later informed her she would be on crutches for at least two months to allow the bones to heal. Now, roughly six weeks after that scary Olympic crash, it is safe to say that Vonn is starting to recover as she dropped her first milestone.

The alpine ski racer posted an Instagram Story on Tuesday featuring herself in makeup for the first time since her February 8 crash, noting, Wearing makeup for the first time in 6 weeks!!"

She has also started "one day at a time" rehabilitation, which recently included a milestone of riding a stationary bike for five minutes, which drew concerns from many on social media.

However, Vonn has publicly defended that early movement, explaining that gentle activity is required to prevent her body from freezing and losing a permanent range of motion.

As for her career, Vonn isn't rushing any decisions. She posted on X that she is focused on rehab first and will decide what comes next later.

And the 2030 Winter Olympics in the French Alps are four years away. If she competes, then she will be 45 or near 46, which will become one of the most significant comebacks in sports history.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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