Lindsey Vonn said her right ankle remains broken as she continues to recover from a serious accident during the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics [1, 2].
The update comes as the 41-year-old athlete [3] navigates a recovery process from a life-threatening crash that caused significant leg injuries [1]. Vonn's progress is a point of public interest given the severity of the incident and her status as a premier U.S. Olympic champion.
Speaking on the red carpet of the 2026 ESPY Awards in New York City, Vonn shared details regarding her current physical state [1, 2]. She said that while some areas of her recovery are progressing well, others remain a challenge.
"I feel better, my left leg is really good, my right ankle is still very much broken unfortunately so I’m still healing but I’m lifting weights which makes me very happy," Vonn said [1]. "I’m walking, albeit slowly."
Reports on the timeline of her recovery vary slightly between sources. One report indicates the update comes five months after the accident [1], while another cites a four-month window since the crash [3].
Vonn's return to the public eye at the ESPY Awards marks a significant step in her visibility following the injury. Her ability to walk and lift weights suggests a transition into a more active phase of rehabilitation, despite the persistent fracture in her ankle [1].
The athlete's recovery involves managing the trauma from the 2026 crash [2] while attempting to regain strength through gym work. Vonn said that the ability to lift weights has been a positive aspect of her current routine [1].
“"My right ankle is still very much broken unfortunately so I’m still healing."”
Vonn's public appearance and admission that her ankle remains broken five months after the crash highlight the prolonged nature of recovering from high-impact Olympic injuries. The transition to weight-bearing exercises and walking indicates a shift from acute medical stabilization to long-term physical therapy, though the lingering fracture suggests a complex healing process.
