Sochi Olympics 2014 Video: First Look Event Update #2
A very unfortunate but not too surprising announcement from team Lindsey Vonn Tuesday morning, as the U.S. skier reported she is withdrawing from the 2014 Sochi Winter Games.
The Olympic star re-injured her right knee Dec. 21 in Val d’ Isere, France while on a second World Cup stop in preparation for Sochi. According to her publicist, “an MRI showed an MCL sprain, which coupled with the torn ACL, has made it impossible to stabilize her knee and be ready to safely ski again next month.” Vonn had already repaired her ACL and MCL from a February accident before partially re-tearing her ACL in November.
“Vonn will have surgery shortly and is expected to make a full recovery in time for the 2014/15 World Cup season and the 2015 World Alpine Ski Championships in Vail-Beaver Creek,” the statement said.
“In looking ahead, I have every ounce of confidence that Lindsey will be in the starting gate next World Cup season ready to compete,” said Bill Marolt, president of the U.S. Skiing and Snowboard Association.
“She knows the hard work it takes to get to the top and still has significant goals to achieve in what has been an incredible career.”
This is obviously not only devastating for an athlete who has been training for nearly four years, but also Vonn’s supporters. The 29-year-old is the most successful female Alpine skier in American history with six straight downhill titles (four overall crowns) and 17 World Cup championships among her Olympic golds. Her comeback was one of the most noteworthy storylines of the Olympic games.
Josh Helmuth is the editor of CraveOnline Sports. You can follow him @JHelmuth or “like” CraveOnline Sports on Facebook.
Photo Credit: Getty
