Decorated ski racer Lindsey Vonn has indicated she is yet to make a definitive decision regarding her future in the sport.
The 41-year-old, who is currently recuperating from a severe downhill crash at the Milan Cortina Olympics that left her with a broken leg, hit out at those trying to influence her decision over whether to continue or retire in a social media post on Sunday.
"No, I’m not ready to discuss my future in skiing," Vonn wrote on X. "It was incredible to be #1 in the world again at 41 years old and set new records in my sport, but at my age, I’m the only one that will decide my future.
“I don’t need anyone’s permission to do what makes me happy. Maybe that means racing again, maybe that doesn’t. Only time will tell. Please stop telling me what I should or should not do. I’ll let you know when I decide."
Vonn is recovering from a complex tibia fracture in her left leg, sustained just 13 seconds into her Olympic downhill run on 8 February.
The injury was compounded by compartment syndrome, a condition involving excessive pressure within a muscle that can restrict blood flow and lead to permanent damage if untreated. She recently disclosed that she nearly lost her leg due to the trauma.
She expressed gratitude to Dr Tom Hackett, an orthopaedic surgeon with the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team, for performing a fasciotomy that saved her leg.
Since returning from Italy, Vonn has been sharing updates on her rehabilitation, posting videos of herself lifting weights and, more recently, riding a stationary bike. "I’m biking!!" she wrote. "Starting with 5 minutes… making progress one day at a time."
Her recent Olympic appearance marked a comeback after a six-year hiatus from racing, during which she had a partial titanium implant in her right knee.
This season, Vonn had demonstrated formidable form, securing two downhill victories and three additional podium finishes, positioning her as a strong contender for the Olympic downhill, an event she previously won at the 2010 Vancouver Games.
However, her Olympic hopes were preceded by another crash on 30 January in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, where she damaged the ACL in her left knee. Despite this, she remained confident in her ability to compete in Cortina.
Moments after leaving the start gate in the Olympic race, she clipped a gate with her right shoulder, leading to a dramatic fall where she pinwheeled down the slope before landing awkwardly. She required extensive medical attention on the hill before being airlifted for treatment.
Following the frightening incident, her father publicly urged her to retire. Vonn underwent multiple surgeries in Italy before returning to the United States.
She had been leading the overall World Cup downhill standings until last weekend, but is now sitting in third place.
Reflecting on her current priorities, Vonn stated in her social media post: "My focus has been on recovering from my injury and getting back to normal life. I was already retired for 6 years and have an amazing life outside of skiing."
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