Alpine skiing legend Lindsey Vonn's long-awaited return to the Winter Olympics ended in dramatic fashion after the American skier crashed heavily during the women's downhill final in Cortina d'Ampezzo.
Vonn, 41, was competing in the Olympics after a six-year hiatus from the sport and just nine days after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in her left knee.
She lost control just 13 seconds into the race, crashed into the side track markings and ended up in the snow, causing disturbing scenes.
The crowd in Cortina fell silent as medical teams rushed in. Vonn was airlifted to hospital, while the race was temporarily suspended.
Despite concerns about the risks, Vonn decided to compete, stating earlier that returning to the Olympics was a personal and conscious decision. She had completed several training trials and had set competitive times before the race.
Lindsey Vonn is considered one of the greatest skiers in history, with 84 World Cup victories and Olympic medals, including gold at Vancouver 2010. She returned to competition in 2024, defying physical limits and age.
Her crash cast a shadow over the race, which was won by American Breezy Johnson, who became the first American woman to win an Olympic gold medal in downhill since Vonn in 2010.
Vonn's health condition is expected to be further assessed in the coming days, while the sports world remains awaiting news about one of alpine skiing's greatest icons. /Telegraph/
