Lindsey Vonn has revealed her dog Leo died the day after she crashed in the women’s downhill at the Winter Olympics in Cortina d’Ampezzo.
Vonn had been a major contender before the race but clipped a gate and fell heavily just seconds into her run. She was airlifted to hospital and has since undergone multiple surgeries on a complex leg fracture.
She returned home to America earlier this week, where she will have further surgery.
The 41-year-old crashed heavily in her final World Cup race before the Winter Olympics, in Crans-Montana in Switzerland just nine days before she was scheduled to first compete in Cortin. She tore her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in that crash but resolved to still attempt to compete, before her latest serious injury put paid to her chances.
In a post on Instagram, Vonn paid tribute to 13-year-old Leo, who she said had recently been diagnosed with lung cancer.
She said: “This has been an incredibly hard few days. Probably the hardest of my life. I have still not come to terms that he is gone.
“The day I crashed, so did Leo. He had been recently diagnosed with lung cancer but now his heart was failing him. He was in pain and his body could no longer keep up with his strong mind.
“As I laid in my hospital bed the day after my crash, we said goodbye to my big boy. I had lost so much that meant something to me in such a short amount of time. I can’t believe it.
“My boy has been with me since my second ACL surgery, when I needed him most. We have been through so much together in 13 years.”
She added that she would be undergoing further surgery, saying: “There will never be another Leo. He will always be my first love.
“Heading in for more surgery today. Will be thinking of him when I close my eyes.
“I will love you forever my big boy.”
