Skier reveals amputation fears after horror crash at 2026 Winter Olympics
The last of many surgeries took six hours.
“I stayed in the hospital a little longer than I expected because my hemoglobin level was so low from the blood loss from all the surgery,” Vonn said.
“I was really struggling. The pain was a little bit out of control and I had to get a blood transfusion and that helped me a lot. I turned the corner and now I’m out.”
Vonn, who also broke her right ankle, will spend the next few weeks in a wheelchair. However, he said he is hopeful he will be able to use crutches as soon as possible, but said he will probably use crutches for up to two months.
He will need further surgery to repair the anterior cruciate ligament he ruptured nine days before his crash at the Olympics.
“I’m going to do everything right, work on rehab, see what I can do and take it one step at a time like I always do,” Vonn said.
“But I can’t tell you how painful it was. It was really hard, and I definitely didn’t want to end my Olympics that way… I wish it had ended differently, but I’d rather go down and try than not try at all.”
Paramedics tend to Lindsey Vonn on the hillside after her accident.Credit: access point
Vonn said that despite everything, she achieved more than anyone expected from her.
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“This year was incredible and worth it. I worked really hard to get back and it was worth it. It was just a blip on the radar. It’s the one thing I wish didn’t happen,” he said.
“But life is life and we have to roll with the blows, so I’m doing the best I can this time. It really knocked me down, but I’m like Rocky, I’ll keep getting back up.”
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