Lindsey Vonn to receive huge sum after horror crash at Winter Olympics
Lindsey Vonn is currently in the spotlight after her horror skiing crash at the Winter Olympics on Sunday.
The 41-year-old, who opted to compete at the Games despite suffering a serious ACL injury in January, crashed approximately 13 seconds into her downhill run.
The Team USA star, who is one of her country’s biggest names at the event in Italy, clipped a gate with her right ski pole, lost balance and crashed before screaming in agony.
She was later airlifted to hospital, where she’s now recovering, having broken her leg while falling painfully.
Vonn’s decision to compete at the Games has raised many eyebrows, with fans suggesting more should have been done to prevent an already-injured athlete from taking to the course.
She won’t, however, be leaving Italy totally empty-handed despite her horror crash seeing her miss out on any kind of medal.
That’s because athletes competing in both the Winter Olympics and Paralympics will pocket a huge $200,000 for their participation.
Lindsey Vonn is currently in the spotlight after her horror skiing crash at the Winter Olympics on Sunday
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REUTERS
Previously, those competing would earn what they could from sponsorship and prize money.
However, with millionaire Ross Stevens bankrolling Team USA, athletes will earn more than ever as a result.
Stevens has put $100million of his money into his country, meaning athletes will all be paid handsomely regardless of how they fare.
Lindsey Vonn crashed while competing at the Winter Olympics with a serious ACL injury | REUTERS
Vonn is yet to release a statement since her crash, with the veteran instead recovering in hospital, having been airlifted there.
Her family have, however, expressed their shock and sadness at what they witnessed.
Vonn’s sisters, Karin and Laura Kildow, were consoled by Snoop Dog in the moments that followed.
Speaking to Time Magazine, Laura said: “I will say that Snoop Dogg really picked me up.
“He said, ‘Stay strong for Lindsey.’ That’s helping me right now. It looked really bad, but I’m glad that we’re all here.”
Karin added: “The people who dare greatly are the ones that should be admired, and she dared greatly.
Lindsey Vonn was airlifted to hospital after her crash, with the skier sustaining a broken leg
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GETTY“She dared greatly. She put it all on the line.”
Time say that Karin screamed in horror as she saw her sibling fall before bowing her head.
Laura is said to have ‘recoiled and closed her eyes’, while their father, Alan, crossed his arms and appeared to wipe away a tear from under his sunglasses.
It’s also said he bit his bottom lip to prevent more tears from falling.
It took around 10 minutes for Vonn to eventually be airlifted to hospital, with the crowd waving to her as she was taken away to be treated.
Breezy Johnson, another Team USA member, ended up scooping the gold medal.
