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Olympic Champion Lindsey Vonn, 40, Ends Retirement to Rejoin U.S. Ski Team After Knee Surgery

Nov 14, 2024, 04:56 PM

Olympic gold medalist Lindsey Vonn is coming out of retirement to rejoin the U.S. Ski Team at age 40, intending to race again six years after her last Olympics. Vonn, who retired in 2019 due to injuries after a storied career including 82 World Cup victories and three Olympic medals, announced on Thursday that she has been training in recent months and aims to return to competition later this year. "I'm trying to find something that I'm as passionate about as ski racing, and I've come to the conclusion that nothing will replace ski racing," Vonn said. "Getting back to skiing without pain has been an incredible journey." Next week marks 24 years since her World Cup debut at age 16. Vonn has undergone knee replacement surgery and is now pain-free, which has allowed her to resume competitive skiing. She may make her comeback at the World Cup event in Beaver Creek in December and has not ruled out competing in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina.