Lindsey Vonn says ankle broken months after Olympics crash

Five months after a catastrophic crash at the 2026 Winter Olympics, champion skier Lindsey Vonn has revealed her recovery remains a significant challenge, with her ankle still broken and walking difficult. The 41-year-old provided the update on July 15 while attending the ESPY Awards in Los Angeles, marking a public appearance that belied the severity of her ongoing rehabilitation.

Vonn suffered the injuries on February 8 during the women's downhill event in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy. Just 13 seconds into her run, she crashed and was airlifted to a hospital. The incident compounded an existing injury, as Vonn had torn the anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee just days before the Olympics. The crash resulted in a complex fracture of her left tibia, a broken right ankle, and a life-threatening condition called compartment syndrome, where swelling cuts off blood flow.

To save her leg from potential amputation, orthopedic surgeon Dr. Tom Hackett performed an emergency fasciotomy, cutting open both sides of her lower leg to relieve pressure. Vonn has since undergone multiple surgeries, with sources citing between four and eight procedures. She spent approximately six weeks in a...