Lindsey Vonn has a torn ACL.
The United States skiing legend still plans to compete at the 2026 Winter Olympics in the upcoming days in Italy.
And, well, it has everyone a bit confused.
Frankly, people want to know if ACLs even matter. This is the common refrain on social media:
So like do we not need ACL’s? Did big ACL bamboozle all of us? https://t.co/AHVrVEpMS8
— Alexander Rossi (@AlexanderRossi) February 6, 2026
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For the record, they do matter.
Vonn tore hers in her most recent race before the Olympics.
She even has social media doctors questioning her injury, but Vonn responded herself:
lol thanks doc. My ACL was fully functioning until last Friday. Just because it seems impossible to you doesn’t mean it’s not possible. And yes, my ACL is 100% ruptured. Not 80% or 50%. It’s 100% gone.
— lindsey vonn (@lindseyvonn) February 6, 2026
Tearing an ACL does not automatically stop the rest of the knee ligaments from being able to move. Everything is kind of connected, so there’s less that can be done.
But evidently, Vonn can still do a lot. It might put stresses on other parts of her body, but she’ll take that chance.
Vonn made a comeback from retirement to compete at the Olympics at the age of 41. She’s not stopping now.
MORE: How Lindsey Vonn plans to ski at the Olympics with a torn ACL
