MILANO, Italy — Olympic alpine ski racer Lindsey Vonn has pushed back against critics who labeled her decision to compete in the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Games as selfish, emphasizing the hard-earned nature of her spot on the U.S. team. The 41-year-old athlete, who suffered a severe crash during the women's downhill final on Feb. 8, took to Instagram on Feb. 21 to share a video compilation of her season's races and reflect on the backlash. Vonn, a two-time Olympic medalist with gold from the 2010 Vancouver Games and bronze from the 2018 Pyeongchang Games, underwent multiple surgeries to repair her broken left tibia following the incident.
In her post, Vonn addressed the criticism head-on, writing, “One thing that stung was when people said I was selfish and should give my Olympic spot to someone else.” She continued, “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 the crash ending her Olympic hopes prematurely, Vonn highlighted her achievements leading up to the event, noting that she had landed on the podium in every downhill race she competed in during the season.
Vonn's determination to compete at 41, especially after a partial knee replacement, drew both admiration and scrutiny. “I showed up and did what most thought was impossible at my age with a partial knee replacement,” she shared in the Instagram post. “These memories I’ll have forever and I’m grateful for every one of them. Every moment was amazing. Every moment was worth it.” The skier, who has long been one of the most decorated in her sport with 82 World Cup wins, concluded her message with an inspirational note: “It’s not impossible until it’s done. I didn’t reach my ultimate goal…. But I still did a lot.”
The controversy surrounding Vonn's participation stems from concerns about her age and injury history, with some observers arguing that younger athletes deserved the opportunity. According to reports from E! News, detractors questioned whether her presence on the team deprived emerging talents of a chance to shine on the Olympic stage. Vonn, however, maintained that her spot was earned through rigorous qualification processes, a point she underscored in her social media recap.
Reflecting on the crash itself in an earlier Instagram post on Feb. 14, Vonn provided insight into the inherent risks of alpine skiing. “When I think back on my crash, I didn’t stand in the starting gate unaware of the potential consequences,” she wrote. “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.” She urged her followers not to feel sad about the outcome, adding, “The ride was worth the fall. 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.”
Vonn's story unfolded against the backdrop of a vibrant and emotional 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina, where athletes from around the world delivered moments of triumph, heartbreak, and unexpected joy. In figure skating, U.S. skater Amber Glenn broke down in tears after missing a triple loop jump in the women's short program, capturing the raw vulnerability of the sport. Meanwhile, Canadian hockey player Tom Wilson engaged in a rare on-ice scuffle with France's Pierre Crinon, adding a gritty edge to the competition.
Brazil celebrated a historic milestone when skier Lucas Pinheiro Braathen won the country's first-ever Winter Olympic gold in the men's giant slalom, visibly emotional on the podium. On the cross-country side, Stevenson Savart, the first skier to represent Haiti at the Olympics, collapsed in exhaustion to thunderous applause after finishing the men's 10km race. These breakthroughs highlighted the growing diversity in winter sports, with athletes from warmer climates making their mark in snowy arenas.
Figure skating continued to produce memorable scenes, from Spanish skater Tomas Guarino's playful Despicable Me-inspired short program dressed as a Minion, to U.S. sensation Ilia Malinin, known as the "Quad God," taking an uncharacteristic fall in the men's single free skating that dropped him to eighth place. Japanese skater Kaori Sakamoto was surprised by her score in the women's singles free skating team event, while Dutch speedskater Jutta Leerdam wiped away tears after setting an Olympic record in the women's 1,000-meter race.
Off the slopes and ice, lighter moments abounded. A dog wandered onto the track during the women's team cross-country free sprint qualifiers, delighting spectators. Canadian curler Marc Kennedy watched teammate Brad Jacobs apply lip balm during a men's round robin match, a slice of everyday life amid high-stakes competition. French biathlete Lou Jeanmonnot, who won silver in the women's 15km individual event, posed with plushies of the Milano-Cortina mascots, Milo and Tina.
Ukrainian skier Dmytro Shepiuk used a sticky note to send love to his fellow Ukrainians after the men's super-G, a poignant gesture amid ongoing global tensions. In freestyle skiing, China's Eileen Gu earned silver in the women's slopestyle, showcasing intricate tricks that were later compiled in a striking image series. Polish figure skater Ekaterina Kurakova celebrated with teammates holding a pierogi plushie, nodding to her nation's culinary icon during the women's single skating short program.
Team interactions added warmth to the Games. U.S. skiers Breezy Johnson and Mikaela Shiffrin shared a hug after the second run of the women's team combined slalom, captured by a cameraman. Georgian figure skater Nika Egadze snapped a photo with gymnastics legend Simone Biles during the men's singles event. Following the women's snowboard halfpipe, Korean snowboarder Gaon Choi posed with Team USA's Chloe Kim and Japan's Mitsuki Ono using a Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 Olympic Edition phone.
In luge, Austria's Selina Egle and Lara Michaela Kipp zoomed by in the women's doubles, while ski jumper Julia Muehlbacher evoked comparisons to a soaring bird or plane. The figure skating team event winners took a podium selfie with the same Samsung device. U.S. figure skaters and couple Evan Bates and Madison Chock delivered a flawless rhythm ice dance routine, their real-life partnership enhancing their performance.
Curling brought celebrity flair, with rapper Snoop Dogg, serving as an NBC Olympics correspondent, trying his hand at the sport during practice. In hockey, Laila Edwards made history as the first Black woman to represent the U.S. in Olympic hockey, facing off against Czech player Sara Cajanova in a matchup against the Czech Republic. Australian snowboarder Valentino Guseli shared a borderless hug with Czechia's Jakub Hrones during men's snowboard big air qualifiers.
U.S. skater Maxim Naumov held a photo of his late parents close after the men's single skating short program, a touching tribute. German bobsledder Laura Nolte geared up for the monobob event, the women's single-person bobsleigh competition. Alysa Liu of the United States executed a precise Biellmann spin in the women's single skating short program, while Team Great Britain's Jennifer Dodds reacted with nail-biting tension to a mixed doubles curling match against South Korea.
Vonn's reflections come as she focuses on recovery, with no immediate plans announced for future competitions. Her experience underscores the physical and mental toll of elite winter sports, where athletes like her push boundaries despite the dangers. As the Milano Cortina Games conclude, Vonn's story serves as a reminder of the resilience required to compete at the highest level, inspiring both her peers and fans worldwide. Officials from the U.S. Ski and Snowboard team have not commented further on the criticism, but Vonn's message resonates with the spirit of perseverance that defined these Olympics.