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Lindsey Vonn's ACL is '100% gone.' But not her chance of winning Olympic gold Sunday.
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Lindsey Vonn's ACL is '100% gone.' But not her chance of winning Olympic gold Sunday.

#Lindsey Vonn #Alpine Skiing #Olympic Gold #ACL injury #Cortina d'Ampezzo #Winter Sports #Comeback #Injury Recovery

📌 Key Takeaways

  • Lindsey Vonn is competing for Olympic gold at age 41 despite a completely torn ACL.
  • The athlete has chosen to bypass traditional surgery in favor of immediate competition.
  • The event takes place this Sunday against the world's top-ranked alpine skiers.
  • Vonn's comeback is being cited as a historic feat of physical and mental resilience.

📖 Full Retelling

Legendary American alpine skier Lindsey Vonn is set to challenge the world's elite athletes for an Olympic gold medal this Sunday in Cortina d'Ampezzo, despite competing with a completely severed anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). At 41 years old, Vonn is attempting a historic comeback to the pinnacle of winter sports, driven by a desire to prove that her physical limitations and age are not barriers to elite performance. The veteran skier's participation marks one of the most remarkable medical and athletic narratives in the history of the Winter Games, as she navigates a course that demands peak physical stability without a functioning ACL. Medical experts and sports analysts have expressed both awe and concern regarding Vonn's decision to compete without the critical stabilizing ligament in her knee. While most professional athletes require reconstructive surgery and nearly a year of rehabilitation for such an injury, Vonn has opted for intense muscular conditioning to compensate for the joint's instability. This high-stakes gamble highlights her career-long reputation for resilience, having previously overcome numerous fractures, concussions, and surgical procedures to remain the most decorated female skier in history. The competition on Sunday serves as more than just a race; it is a test of whether modern sports science and sheer willpower can overcome biological deficits. Vonn faces a field of much younger competitors who are at the height of their physical prowess, yet her intimate knowledge of the world's most challenging downhill tracks provides a strategic advantage. As she approaches the starting gate, the global sporting community remains focused on whether her surgically repaired body can withstand the immense G-forces of high-speed turns at over 80 miles per hour. Should Vonn succeed in securing a podium finish or the gold medal, she will solidify her legacy as arguably the greatest alpine skier to ever live. The narrative of the 41-year-old competing with a "100% gone" ACL has captivated fans worldwide, turning the upcoming event into a symbol of human endurance. Regardless of the final timing on the clock, her presence on the mountain reaffirms her status as a pioneer who continues to redefine the boundaries of what is possible in professional athletics.

🐦 Character Reactions (Tweets)

Skiing Skeptic

Lindsey Vonn's ACL is '100% gone.' But not her chance of winning Olympic gold Sunday. Lindsey Vonn: 'I don't need an ACL, I have a spirit of steel and a knee of rubber.' #Olympics #Skiing

Sports Doc

Lindsey Vonn's ACL is '100% gone.' But not her chance of winning Olympic gold Sunday. Medical miracle or just really good tape? Either way, Lindsey Vonn is redefining 'going against all odds.' #Olympics #Skiing

Winter Sports Whisperer

Lindsey Vonn's ACL is '100% gone.' But not her chance of winning Olympic gold Sunday. Lindsey Vonn: 'I don't need a ligament, I have a will of iron and a knee that's seen better days.' #Olympics #Skiing

Athletic Enthusiast

Lindsey Vonn's ACL is '100% gone.' But not her chance of winning Olympic gold Sunday. Lindsey Vonn: 'I don't need a ligament, I have a spirit of steel and a knee of rubber.' #Olympics #Skiing

💬 Character Dialogue

Геральт із Рівії: Hmph. A torn ACL? I've seen worse. At least she's not fighting a Leshen with a broken leg.
Леді Дімітреску: How quaint. A mere mortal pushing her body to such limits. It's almost... pathetic. But I suppose even you 'nikcemeat' have your moments of glory.
Венздей Аддамс: Wow. A 41-year-old with a '100% gone' ACL. I mean, it's not like she's trying to outrun a zombie or something. Oh wait...
Геральт із Рівії: Hmph. At least she's not complaining about it. Unlike some people I know.
Леді Дімітреску: Enough! I will not stand here and listen to this nonsense any longer. I must return to my castle. These 'mortals' and their 'achievements' bore me to tears.

🏷️ Themes

Sports, Resilience, Olympics

📚 Related People & Topics

Anterior cruciate ligament injury

Anterior cruciate ligament injury

Ligament injury near the knee

An anterior cruciate ligament injury occurs when the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is either stretched, partially torn, or completely torn. The most common injury is a complete tear. Symptoms include pain, an audible cracking sound during injury, instability of the knee, and joint swelling.

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Winter sports

Winter sports

Sports or recreational activities which are played on snow or ice

Winter sports or winter activities are competitive sports or non-competitive recreational activities which are played on snow or ice. Most are variations of skiing, ice skating and sledding. Traditionally, such games were only played in cold areas during winter, but artificial snow and artificial ic...

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Alpine skiing

Alpine skiing

Sport of skiing downhill

Alpine skiing, or downhill skiing, is the pastime of sliding down snow-covered slopes on skis with fixed-heel bindings, unlike other types of skiing (cross-country, Telemark, or ski jumping), which use skis with free-heel bindings. Whether for recreation or for sport, it is typically practiced at sk...

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Lindsey Vonn

Lindsey Vonn

American alpine skier (born 1984)

Lindsey Vonn is a legendary American alpine skier, a three-time Olympic medalist, and a four-time overall World Cup champion . As of February 8, 2026, she is competing in her fifth Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, marking an unprecedented return to the sport at age 41 after her initial retirement i...

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Olympic Gold

Olympic Gold

Topics referred to by the same term

Olympic Gold may refer to:

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🔗 Entity Intersection Graph

Connections for Anterior cruciate ligament injury:

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📄 Original Source Content
If a torn ACL hasn’t stopped Lindsey Vonn’s pursuit of an Olympic gold medal at age 41, can the world's best skiers?

Original source

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