Lindsey Vonn to race in Winter Olympics with ruptured ACL

American skiing legend Lindsey Vonn has confirmed she will compete in the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics despite suffering a completely ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) just days before the event.

Vonn, 41, was airlifted to a Swiss hospital on Friday after a high-speed crash during a World Cup downhill race, the final warm-up before the Games. Despite the severity of the injury, the former Olympic champion expressed defiance during a press conference on Tuesday.

"My knee feels stable and strong," Vonn said. "I know my chances have changed, but as long as there is a chance, I’ll try. I’m not letting this slip through my fingers."

Vonn, who returned to the sport in late 2024 after a five-year retirement and a partial knee replacement, is aiming for Sunday's women's downhill event. If she reaches the podium, she will become the oldest woman to win an Olympic medal in alpine skiing.

Milan-Cortina 2026: A Star-Studded Start The 25th Winter Games officially begin on February 6 with an opening ceremony at Milan’s San Siro Stadium. The event will feature global icon Mariah Carey, alongside Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli and singer Laura Pausini.

Running through February 22, these Games are the most geographically spread out in history, with events held across northern Italy. This year also marks the Olympic debut of Ski Mountaineering (Skimo).