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American skiing star Lindsey Vonn is set to defy the odds at her fifth Winter Olympics. The former gold medalist is preparing for the downhill race on Sunday, despite rupturing her anterior cruciate ligament less than two weeks ago.

Vonn clinched her gold medal in the downhill event at the Vancouver Games in 2010 and has also collected two bronze medals across her four previous Winter Olympics. The 41-year-old retired from the sport in 2019 but returned to competitive action in late 2024.

However, Vonn’s attempt to continue her Olympic dreams was thrown into doubt after being airlifted to hospital following a crash at the World Cup in Crans-Montana. Despite suffering an ACL injury, Vonn was determined to compete and completed her mandatory training lap in one minute 44.33 seconds on Friday.

Away from the slopes, the Winter Olympic icon was previously in a high-profile relationship with Tiger Woods. Here is a closer look at Vonn’s life as she prepares to compete for the USA this weekend.

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Vonn made her intent to compete at the Milan Cortina Games clear just days after her injury. The American was among the favourites to win the downhill gold medal and was unwilling to give up on her ambition.

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"This is obviously not what I hoped for. I have been working really hard to come into these Games in a much different position," she said in a press conference before her training run. "I know what my chances were before the crash and I know that my chances aren't the same as it stands now, but I know there is still a chance. As long as there is a chance, I'll try. That's where I am."

She chose not to speak to the media after her training run. However, her coach Aksel Lund Svindal has also not ruled out the possibility of Vonn overcoming her injury to claim a medal.

"From what I saw today I think she can," he said. "There were reserves today. She looked symmetrical. You've seen earlier this season that when she skis well, she can win. It's going to be hard but I think she could possibly bring that on Sunday."

Vonn was previously married to fellow skiing Olympian Thomas Vonn from 2007 until 2013 and later had a relationship with hockey star P.K. Subban. However, her two-year romance with golf legend Tiger Woods between 2013 and 2015 attracted the most headlines. Despite splitting up more than a decade ago, Vonn has consistently wished Woods well.

“I mean. … I was in love,” Vonn said of their relationship to Sports Illustrated in 2018. “I loved him and we’re still friends. Sometimes, I wish he would have listened to me a little more but he’s very stubborn and he likes to go his own way.”

A few years later, following the injuries Woods had sustained in a car accident, Vonn told Entertainment Tonight: "We are friends and, of course, I'm happy that he is back and healthy. And, you know, it was a tough time for him. So I am just happy that he is back with his kids."

Vonn’s primary focus will be on overcoming her injury at the current Winter Olympics. However, the skiing star had previously discussed the prospect of heading into the Milan Cortina Games without a partner.

“I have never been single going into any Olympics in my life,” she said to SELF. “So I’m excited to try that out. It’s been really nice to just be focused on myself.”

Vonn decided to come out of retirement after undergoing a partial titanium knee replacement in 2024. The difference that the Olympian felt gave her the confidence to return to the slopes.

“My body was so different,” she told People. “I didn’t have any pain at all; my knee didn’t swell. I felt like I could do anything. The thought of ski racing again, something I loved to do so much, but without pain, was really exciting.”

“I built an amazing life and was really happy in retirement but I didn’t finish my career the way I wanted to. I was limping away when I wanted to finish strong.”