Lindsey Vonn’s friend reveals her clear message after being airlifted to hospital as Olympic dream faces danger

Lindsey Vonn does not want pity. That is the clear message she has shared with the people closest to her after a scary crash in Switzerland that put her Olympic dream at risk. The 41-year-old American ski star was airlifted to a hospital on Friday after falling hard during a downhill race in Crans-Montana. She appeared to injure her left knee, the same part of her body that has troubled her many times in the past.

Even with the Games in Italy starting next Friday, Lindsey Vonn has not shown fear or doubt in private or in public. She has told friends to stay positive and strong as she focuses on getting herself ready to compete. Her first Olympic event is scheduled for next Sunday, leaving very little time to recover. Still, her mindset has not changed. She believes her comeback story is not finished yet.

A close friend told The Post that Lindsey Vonn has made one thing very clear since the crash. She does not want sadness around her. She wants belief.

“She’s telling everyone to stay strong and not be a Debbie Downer,” the friend said. “She needs everyone to give her positive energy to get through this. That is the number-one message to her friends and family.”

The friend also shared Lindsey Vonn’s exact request. “She said, ‘Don’t write I’m sorry. Give me good energy. Please be positive.’ She’s leading the charge. Everyone has to get on board with helping her find the will to get through this.”

Lindsey Vonn stays focused on Cortina as injury tests Olympic comeback

The crash happened during a downhill run in Crans-Montana, Switzerland. Lindsey Vonn slid into the safety nets and stayed down while medical staff checked her. After about five minutes, she slowly made her way to the bottom, stopping several times while holding her left knee. Soon after, she was taken away by helicopter for further care.

Because of the injury, Lindsey Vonn did not race in the women’s World Cup Super-G on Saturday. She later confirmed this herself on social media.

“Unfortunately, I won’t be able to race today,” she wrote. “Wishing all my teammates a great race. Thank you for all of the love and support I have received. It means the world to me. Doing my best right now.”

Her personal head coach, Chris Knight, also shared an update with the Associated Press. “No, she is not racing today,” he said. “But she is preparing for Cortina as usual.”

According to her friend, if skier Lindsey Vonn needs more treatment on her knee, she plans to wait until after the Games are over. That decision shows how much this moment means to her.

Lindsey Vonn returned to racing last season after nearly six years away. She came back at age 40, skiing with a partial titanium implant in her right knee. This season, she has been the top downhiller on the circuit, winning two races and finishing on the podium three more times in five starts. Now, just days before the Winter Olympics in Italy, she is fighting once again, not with words, but with belief.


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