Team USA star Lindsey Vonn has undergone surgery for a broken left leg after a horrific crash at the Winter Olympics saw her airlifted to hospital
Lindsey Vonn has had an operation on a broken leg after her horrific crash at the Winter Olympics.
The Team USA athlete and superstar of alpine ski racing had damaged her ACL when falling in a World Cup race at Crans-Montana just over a week ago but still lined up in Sunday’s women’s downhill event at the Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre in Italy.
But she crashed out just seconds into her run after clipping a gate and somersaulting off the course, with medics rushing to her aid as she lay prone in the snow. The 41-year-old was rushed by helicopter to hospital and it was subsequently revealed she was in a stable condition, having been treated by both American and Italian medics for her injury.
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It has now been confirmed that Vonn has had surgery on a fractured left leg. A statement from Ca Foncello hospital said that Vonn had undergone “orthopedic surgery to stabilize the fracture she sustained in her left leg”.
Vonn’s sister quickly spoke out following the American’s ordeal. Speaking to American broadcaster NBC, she said: “I mean that definitely was the last thing we wanted to see and it happened quick and when that happens, you’re just immediately hoping she’s okay. And it was scary because when you start to see the stretchers being put out, it’s not a good sign.
“But she really… she just dared greatly and she put it all out there. So it’s really hard to see, but we just really hope she’s okay. She does have all of her surgeons and her PT staff here and her doctors, so I’m sure they’ll give us a report and we’ll meet her at whatever hospital she’s at.”, reports the Mirror.
Having also witnessed Vonn’s fall from the summit of the slope, Isabella Wright offered her perspective. She said: “If anyone can, Lindsey can. Whatever it is, or whatever the situation, she’s very strong. We’re going to support her the best we can.
“She deserved a better ending than that so I’m heartbroken for her. I hope to see her and just support her. I know she’s in good hands right now. [I’m] anxiously waiting to see her.”
Vonn’s recent crash is another unfortunate event in her career. Despite crashing in practice and suffering a ruptured cruciate ligament, she vowed to compete at the Games.
While Vonn’s Olympic journey ended in disappointment, her teammate Breezy Johnson had a more successful run, clinching gold.
Johnson also expressed her concern for her teammate. She said: “I hope it’s not as bad as it looked and I know how difficult it is to ski this course.
“And how sometimes, because you love this course so much, when you crash on it and it hurts you like that, it hurts that much worse.”
When asked about her victory, Johnson added: “I sort of still can’t believe it yet, I don’t know when it will sink in yet. I knew I had to push and go harder than I did in training. I had to be super clean and I felt like I did that.”