2026 Winter Olympics Tuesday schedule: Medals on the line in bobsled, big air, slopestyle and speedskating

During the 2026 Winter Olympics, American skiing legend Lindsey Vonn faced a significant setback in her Olympic journey. Vonn had previously announced that she ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in her left knee following a crash during a World Cup downhill event the week prior to the Olympics. Despite her injury being described as "100% gone," she completed her second training run at the Olympics, demonstrating her determination to compete in the Olympic downhill competition (Yahoo Sports, NPR). However, Vonn's Olympic comeback ended dramatically when she crashed out of the Women’s Downhill final. The crash occurred near the top of the Olympia delle Tofane course, leading to her being airlifted off the slopes. This incident overshadowed the race, which was won by her U.S. teammate Breezy Johnson, marking America's first medal of the 2026 Winter Olympics (Yahoo Sports, Deadline, NPR). Johnson's victory in the women's downhill event was significant, especially amid the attention surrounding Vonn's attempt to compete despite her severe injury. Vonn's participation in the Olympics was viewed as a testament to her resilience and competitive spirit, even in the face of physical challenges. However, the crash ultimately dashed her hopes for a medal and raised concerns about the future of her skiing career (Yahoo Sports, Deadline). The dramatic events during the race underscored the unpredictable nature of competitive skiing and the risks that athletes take in pursuit of their goals, particularly in high-stakes events like downhill skiing (Yahoo Sports, Deadline).