Lindsey Vonn is going to have to sit out Sochi after all. Following a grisly injury this past November, downhill skiing champ Lindsey Vonn has pulled out of the upcoming Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, she told Us Weekly in a Tuesday, Jan. 7 statement. "I am devastated to announce that I will not be able to compete in Sochi," says the gold medalist, 29.
"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."
After overcoming a previous injury and surgery, Tiger Woods' girlfriend crashed last fall during training in Vail, Colorado, enduing a partial tear to her ACL and a strain to her right knee. She continued in her statement, first revealed on the TODAY Show: "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."
Following her November crash, Vonn was set to undergo physical therapy in the hopes of recovering in time for Sochi. "Thank you all so much for all of the love and support," she added. "I will be cheering for all of the Olympians and especially team USA!"
