Lindsey Vonn is no stranger to pain. She has built her career on speed, risk, and pushing her body to the limit, but the Winter Olympics brought another harsh chapter to her long history with injuries.
The American ski legend recently underwent her third surgery after a brutal fall during Olympic competition. Despite on hospital bed, she gave an update about her health condition.
But in an update to her Instagram page, the 41-year-old revealed she had undergone a third surgery following her horror injury.
She said: “I had my 3rd surgery today and it was successful.
“Success today has a completely different meaning than it did a few days ago.
“I’m making progress and while it is slow, I know I’ll be ok.”
Vonn said she was “thankful” to the medical staff, her friends and family who have been by her side supporting her, as well as the “beautiful outpouring of love” she has received from around the world.
The American skiing hero added: “Also, huge congrats to my team-mates and all of the Team USA athletes who are out there inspiring me and giving me something to cheer for.”
Vonn needed to be airlifted to hospital after colliding with a gate in the downhill event on Monday.
A doctor who rushed to her aid revealed she had to be calmed down from screaming in agony in the immediate aftermath of the crash.
According to doctor Thomas Spallinger on Lindsey Vonn’s injury;
“I intervened with the Carabinieri officer who was on duty with me at the start of the races and we reached her on skis.
“We assessed her and, given the nature of her injury, we decided to arrange for her to be transferred to the hospital by rescue helicopter.
“She was in a lot of pain at the time, so I rushed to begin treatment on site and stabilized her.
“Her physical therapist also intervened and helped us calm her until the helicopter arrived.
“Everything went smoothly, thanks to the excellent coordination and preparation of the medical staff, rescuers and the organization.”
Lindsey Vonn has made a career out of defying limits. She has fallen before, she has undergone surgery before and she has returned before.
The mountain knocked her down again, but if history tells us anything, it is that Lindsey Vonn never stays down for long.
