Lindsey Vonn reveals Winter Olympics fate after being airlifted to hospital from horror ski crash a week before Games

Lindsey Vonn has defiantly insisted her Olympic dream is not over in an emotional statement after being airlifted to hospital following a crash where she injured her left knee.

American great Vonn dramatically lost control after landing a jump on the course in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, before skidding into the safety netting.

She got up after receiving medical attention for about 5 minutes, seemingly in pain and using her poles to steady herself. Vonn then skied slowly to the finish line, stopping a couple of times on the way down and clutching her left knee. 

Thr 41-year-old has now said in a statement: ‘I crashed today in the Downhill race in Switzerland and injured my left knee. 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.

‘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.’

The US Ski team backed up Vonn’s message, saying in a statement: ‘Lindsey Vonn crashed in today’s Crans Montana World Cup downhill and injured her left knee, however her Olympic dream isn’t over yet.’ 

Vonn is one of the most decorated skiiers of all time and embarking on an incredible comeback to the sport going into next week’s Games. 

But now, despite her resilient tone on the crash, there is inevitably huge concern over if she’ll be able to participate at all. 

Vonn’s first Olympic race is the women´s downhill on February 8. She was also planning on competing in the super-G and the new team combined event at the Games. 

Before she was airlifted, Vonn was further assessed inside the medical tent over the issue. Organizers then cancelled the World Cup race after her crash due to the incessant snowfall.

One of her fellow competitors, Romane Miradoli of France, raised the alarm over the conditions and visibility. 

‘You can’t see, and it’s bumpy everywhere,’ she said. ‘We just couldn’t see well.’

Vonn had made a stunning comeback last season at age 40 after nearly six years away from ski racing. 

Skiing with a partial titanium implant in her right knee, she has been the circuit’s leading downhiller this season with two victories and three other podium finishes in the five races. 

In a recent interview with SELF, Vonn had explained that these coming Games in Italy would be her last, no matter what happened.

‘No, no, no. That’s all she wrote. This is 24 years after my first Olympics. I’ve won everything I could have ever won,’ she said.

‘I’m not doing this to prove anything to anyone. I’m doing this because I think I can do well, it’s a meaningful place for me, and I think I can make a positive impact… But I don’t have to.

‘I’m going to stand on the starting gate with a lot of clarity, and a lot of perspective, and a lot of wisdom and knowledge that you don’t have when you’re younger. 

‘I think my age in this scenario is an advantage, and I’m gonna use that to the best of my ability.’

Vonn, who previously dated Tiger Woods and was once engaged to hockey player P.K. Subban, also said she is single for an Olmypics for the first time.

‘I have never been single going into any Olympics in my life,’ she said. ‘So I’m excited to try that out. It’s been really nice to just be focused on myself.’