Lindsey Vonn, a Winter Olympics icon, displayed unwavering support for Team USA despite a harrowing crash during the event. Her teammate, Breezy Johnson, revealed that Vonn, who was being airlifted for medical assistance following her downhill race mishap, was cheering her on.
Competing in her first Winter Olympics since 2018, Vonn faced a setback when she suffered a serious injury due to a flag marker incident on the course. The incident was compounded by her recent ACL rupture, which she had disclosed just before the Games. While there were criticisms over her participation, many commended her bravery and resolve.
Johnson, who had completed her run before Vonn’s accident, shared that Vonn continued to support her even as she was being transported away. Johnson’s exceptional performance secured her a gold medal, edging out Germany’s Emma Aicher by a mere 0.04 seconds and marking her first Olympic podium finish.
Vonn’s distressing moment on the slopes evoked an emotional response from BBC commentator Chemmy Alcott, while Johnson conveyed her support and admiration for Vonn’s career achievements. As Johnson celebrated her triumph, she sent heartfelt wishes for Vonn’s recovery and expressed gratitude for Vonn’s encouragement.
In a similar vein, Johnson’s recent success at the Winter Olympics marked a significant milestone following her triumph at the 2025 Alpine World Ski Championships. Despite missing the 2022 Winter Olympics due to injury, her remarkable performance this time around, with Vonn’s encouragement in mind, culminated in a well-deserved victory.
Defending Vonn’s decision to compete despite her injury challenges, Johnson emphasized that many athletes, including herself, have competed without an ACL, highlighting the resilience and dedication often unseen by the public.