AP PHOTOGRAPHER CAPTURES MOMENTS LINDSEY VONN CRASHES AT WINTER OLYMPICS

 

LINDSEY VONN'S SISTER OFFERS HEALTH UPDATE AS WINTER OLYMPICS ICON AIRLIFTED TO HOSPITAL

American skiing legend Lindsey Vonn, 41, was airlifted to hospital following a devastating crash at Milan Cortina 2026, with her sister Karin Kildow speaking out on the terrifying incident

Lindsey Vonn was airlifted to hospital(Image: AP)

Lindsey Vonn's sister has spoken out after the American skiing legend's terrifying crash at the Winter Olympics, which required her to be airlifted to a hospital.

She revealed that Vonn's surgeon is present and will be heading to the medical facility. Competing in her first Olympics in eight years at Milan Cortina, the 41-year-old Vonn had only recently suffered a complete rupture of the ACL in her left knee.

Despite making a remarkable comeback to competition last year following a five-year hiatus, Vonn's Olympic dreams were shattered during the downhill alpine event on Sunday morning.

Lindsey Vonn suffered a shocking fall on Sunday(Image: GETTY)

The Team USA superstar seemed to lose her balance after her right arm made contact with the gate, sending her veering sharply to the right while airborne. As she attempted to regain control, Vonn crashed to the ground at high speed, ending up in a crumpled heap on the snow.

Her anguished cries filled the unsettling silence, prompting organisers to play background music to mask the eerie quiet, as stunned spectators sat frozen in the stands.

After what felt like an eternity, Vonn was carefully placed into a medical bag and then transported to the hospital via helicopter, reports the Mirror.

The stark image of the yellow helicopter and Vonn's red bag against the snow-covered mountains' white backdrop left viewers worldwide watching in horror.

Speaking to USA Today, Vonn's sister Karin Kildow revealed that she was aware of all the risks and was simply pushing her limits. Kildow also reassured fans that Vonn was in the hands of the best medical team possible.

"I mean that definitely was the last thing we wanted to see and it happened quick and when that happens, you're just immediately hoping she's okay," she expressed.

"And it was scary because when you start to see the stretchers being put out, it's not a good sign. But she really...she just dared greatly and she put it all out there. So it's really hard to see but we just really hope she's okay.

"She does have all of her surgeons and her PT staff here and her doctors, so I'm sure they'll give us a report and we'll meet her at whatever hospital she's at."

- Daniel Blackham, Mikael McKenzie and Will Schofield

FRANJO VON ALLMEN WON THRILLING GOLD ⛷️ | #MILANOCORTINA2026

 

OPENING CEREMONY TODAY, FIGURE SKATING BEGINS AT MILANO CORTINA WINTER OLYMPICS

Workers drive a golf buggy outside a compound next to the San Siro Stadium during rehearsals for the opening ceremony of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, at , in Milan, Italy, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Moguls skier Mikaël Kingsbury, of Deux-Montagnes, Que., and ski cross racer Marielle Thompson, of Whistler, B.C., both Olympic gold-medallists, will carry the Canadian flag in Livigno.

Figure skating begins today in Milan with Day 1 of the team event. Ice dancers Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier lead off for Canada with the rhythm dance, followed by Lia Pereira and Trennt Michaud in the pairs short program and Madeline Schizas in the women’s singles short program.

In Cortina, Canada’s mixed doubles curling team of Jocelyn Peterman and Brett Gallant, unbeaten at 3-0, continues round-robin play against the United States.

Canadian alpine skiers are scheduled for downhill training, with the women training in Cortina d’Ampezzo at the Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre and the men on the Stelvio Ski Centre course in Bormio.

- The Canadian Press

CHINA'S AI TECHNOLOGY POWERS MILANO CORTINA OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES

Cross country skiers make their way in heavy snowfall on a track parallel to the mountain pass road near Toblach running between the Olympic venues in Cortina and Antholz, northern Italy, January 25, 2026. /VCG

According to the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the first official large language model in Olympic history, developed with technical support from Chinese companies, has been deployed simultaneously for professional Games operations and public services.

On the operations side, an AI assistant allows members of national Olympic delegations to access official information simply by asking questions in their native languages, significantly improving coordination and preparation efficiency.

For the public, the "Olympic AI Assistant" is available worldwide, providing real-time, accurate answers to questions about competition rules, Olympic history, and other Games-related information.

IOC President Kirsty Coventry said the IOC has launched the first official large language model in Olympic history. She expressed appreciation for China's technological support, noting it is helping make the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games one of the smartest Olympic Games ever while opening up new possibilities for the Olympic Movement.

Beyond public services, Chinese AI technology is also deeply integrated into the Games' broadcast coverage. AI-enabled technologies, such as "bullet time," have been deployed at 10 core venues, covering more than two-thirds of competition events, including alpine skiing, snowboarding, and ski jumping, thereby enhancing the viewing experience for global audiences.

Sotiris Salamouris, Chief Technology Officer of Olympic Broadcasting Services, said winter Olympic sports are highly dynamic, characterized by extreme speed and explosive power. He noted that advanced technology that freezes athletes' movements and captures their performances from multiple angles helps audiences better understand these sports and fully appreciate the athletes' extraordinary achievements.

- CGTN