One year away from the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games, skier Lindsey Vonn has announced her intention to reach her best version after her retirement. The American, with two Olympic bronze medals and eight World Cup titles in downhill, hopes to play a good role after returning to competition during these last weeks and having checked her evolution.
“I’ve always liked a challenge. My return to competitive skiing has been driven by my passion for the sport, the speed and adrenaline that got me on the slopes,” Vonn said in a personal reflection to Olympics. “Cortina, Italy, is a special place for me, it’s where I discovered my potential to win and where I’ve always felt a special connection to the mountains.”
NEW OPPORTUNITY AFTER RETIREMENT
Vonn retired from professional skiing due to the multiple injuries she accumulated throughout her career, especially to her right knee. “It was devastating to leave the sport I loved so much, but my body was no longer responding. I underwent knee replacement surgery to continue to explore, stay active, play tennis and enjoy the adventures I had always imagined for myself, but I never thought it would bring me back to competition.”
“When I realized how well my new knee was working, I couldn’t help but wonder how far I could go. With the approval of my medical team, I decided to give it a try. I went into this process with low expectations, but with a lot of joy, and every step has been a pleasant surprise. The most important thing is that I’m having fun,” he says.
MILANO CORTINA 2026
Downhill skiing is still a high-risk sport, but Vonn says she feels “stronger and healthier than when I retired. Regardless of age, anyone who points their skis downhill at 80 miles per hour is taking a risk. But my body feels good and that encourages me to say I want to be part of Milano Cortina 2026.”
For Vonn, “Cortina is a place where everything made sense to me. It’s where I learned how to build a career, how to get on the podium and, most importantly, the moment I realized I was capable of winning. My mentality hasn’t changed much since my first podium there in 2004. I’ve always felt a special connection with that mountain, as if I could see the right line, understand its demands and do what it takes to succeed.”
“Cortina is also one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever visited, and I think it will be an excellent Olympic host. Paris last summer reignited global passion for the Games, captivating audiences in a new way. I’m sure Cortina will keep that momentum going and spark a new enthusiasm for winter sports,” says the American.
WOMEN’S SPORTS
In addition, Vonn stressed the importance of Milano Cortina 2026 in terms of gender equality. “The highest female participation in a Winter Games is expected, around 47%. The Olympic Games serve as a platform to promote progressive ideas, drive change and set the tone for how the world approaches gender equality.”
“The Games have the power to inspire change and set new standards. Children will watch athletes and dream big because of it. I hope Milano Cortina 2026 will be a turning point in many ways,” she said.
With a year ahead of her, the skier is focused on her preparation in the hope of being part of an Olympic event that, in her words: “Promises to be unforgettable”.
