Lindsey Vonn Responds to Being Labeled "Selfish" for Her Olympics Participation in 2026.
In 2026, Lindsey Vonn is upholding her Olympic spot. In response to critics who questioned her decision to compete after her accident necessitated numerous operations to treat her broken left tibia, the alpine ski racer—who crashed during the women's downhill final at the Milano Cortina Winter Games on February 8—argued that she ought to hit the slopes just as much as her competitors.
“One thing that stung was when people said I was selfish and should give my Olympic spot to someone else,” along with a video collection of her races prior to the Winter Games, she posted on Instagram on February 21. “So… I just wanted to recap my season for all the haters out there that don’t understand what it means to earn your spot, and on a more positive note, to just reflect.”
Despite her tragic experience, the 41-year-old, who took home gold from the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver and bronze from the 2018 Games in Pyeongchang, said her efforts “wasn’t all for nothing” She listed some of her recent achievements, such as placing on the podium in each downhill race she participated in this season.
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“I showed up and did what most thought was impossible at my age with a partial knee replacement,” she revealed. “These memories I’ll have forever and I’m grateful for every one of them. Every moment was amazing. Every moment was worth it.”
In closing, Lindsey wrote a heartfelt message for her followers, saying, “It’s not impossible until it’s done. I didn’t reach my ultimate goal…. But I still did a lot.”
The athlete expressed her thoughts about her disastrous race while recovering, demonstrating her awareness of the dangers associated with her activity.
“When I think back on my crash, I didn’t stand in the starting gate unaware of the potential consequences,” on February 14, she posted on Instagram. “I knew what I was doing. I chose to take a risk. Every skier in that starting gate took the same risk. Because even if you are the strongest person in the world, the mountain always holds the cards.”
With that knowledge in hand, Lindsey advised her supporters not to "feel sad" about the outcome of her Olympic race.
“The ride was worth the fall,” she added. “When I close my eyes at night, I don’t have regrets and the love I have for skiing remains. I am still looking forward to the moment when I can stand on the top of the mountain once more. And I will.”
