Lindsey Vonn will not compete in Sochi Olympics
Lindsey Vonn said she will undergo surgery on her knee soon. (Alexis Boichard/Agence Zoom/Getty Images)
U.S. gold medal downhill skier Lindsey Vonn announced via social media Tuesday morning that she will not compete in next month's Sochi Olympics after re-tearing an ACL.
Vonn said she is scheduled to undergo surgery on her right knee soon and hopes to be ready for the World Championships in Vail next February. She reinjured her knee while speed training on Nov. 19 at Copper Mountain Resort in Colorado.
Vonn won the Olympic downhill at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver and has won four World Cup overall titles.
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"I did everything I possibly could to somehow get strong enough to overcome having no ACL but the reality has sunk in that my knee is just too unstable to compete at this level. I'm having surgery soon so that I can be ready for the World Championships at home in Vail next February. On a positive note, this means there will be an additional spot so that one of my teammates can go for gold. Thank you all so much for all of the love and support. I will be cheering for all of the Olympians and especially team USA!
