Lindsey Vonn has issued a clear response to suggestions from IOC chief Pierre Ducrey that her crash in the Winter Olympics was caused by her existing anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. The US skier posted an update on social media on Monday night outlining the extent of her injuries.
The 41-year-old suffered a horrible crash just 13 seconds into her run in the women’s downhill skiing event on Sunday morning. She could be heard crying out in pain as she was attended to by medics before being airlifted to hospital.
The crash came just over a week after Vonn suffered a previous crash in the build-up to the games, which resulted in the injury to her ACL. Her decision to compete in the event despite the injury led to some criticism from some fans on social media.
“She was able to train and made the choice with the excellent team that she has to take part… this decision was really hers and her team to take,” he said. “She made the decision and unfortunately it led to the injury.”
Vonn has since released a statement on social media, and one key extract saw her dismiss that suggestion from Ducrey. She put: “My ACL and past injuries had nothing to do with my crash whatsoever.”
Elsewhere in the statement, she gave an update on her injuries. “Unfortunately, I sustained a complex tibia fracture that is currently stable but will require multiple surgeries to fix properly,” she said.
“While yesterday did not end the way I had hoped, and despite the intense physical pain it caused, I have no regrets. Standing in the starting gate yesterday was an incredible feeling that I will never forget. Knowing I stood there having a chance to win was a victory in and of itself.
“I also knew that racing was a risk. It always was and always will be an incredibly dangerous sport.”
Vonn’s claim was backed up by US team-mate Keely Cashman, speaking on Monday. She said (via the Guardian): “She hooked her arm on the gate, which twisted her around. She was going probably 70mph, and so that twists your body around.”
Cashman added that the crash had “nothing to do with her ACL, nothing to do with her knee – I think a lot of people are ridiculing that, and a lot of people don’t [know] what’s going on.”