BBC pundit fights back tears after terrifying Winter Olympics incident
Chemmy Alcott struggled to contain her emotions during BBC coverage of Lindsey Vonn’s devastating crash at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, with the former British downhill skier visibly fighting back tears.
Alcott, who competed alongside Vonn throughout her career, was reporting from near the finish line when presenter Hazel Irvine crossed to her following the incident.
The atmosphere proved deeply uncomfortable for the former athlete as she processed what had unfolded.
“I feel guilty that I am this emotional. I just never believed it would end in a clump at the side of the piste, not moving,” Alcott said.
She urged viewers to consider the impact on Vonn’s loved ones, describing the scenes as “brutal” for the American’s family and team.
The 41-year-old American came down heavily during the opening stages of the women’s downhill event, leaving her motionless on the slope.
Vonn had made the remarkable decision to compete despite suffering a ruptured ACL just nine days before the race.
Chemmy Alcott struggled to contain her emotions during BBC coverage of Lindsey Vonn’s devastating crash at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, with the former British downhill skier visibly fighting back tears
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GETTY
Medical personnel rushed to attend to the stricken skier, with her cries of pain audible to spectators and viewers alike.
Alcott highlighted the enormous gamble Vonn had taken by racing with such a significant injury.
“What we saw that the top of the piste is really hard for a fit athlete, she just had her right knee,” she explained.
Lindsey Vonn crashed while competing at the Winter Olympics with a serious ACL injury
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REUTERS
“We have to be realistic. The risk was really high, the risk she takes when she falls will double that, her body will not be able to take that.”
In distressing scenes, event organisers opted to play background music to mask Vonn’s agonised cries as she lay injured on the mountainside.
“There is clapping and there is hope that she would be okay but they have put up some background music because it is uncomfortable,” Alcott noted of the tense atmosphere near the finish area.
The American was eventually secured onto a stretcher before being transported to hospital via helicopter.
Racing was halted for approximately 20 minutes while Vonn received treatment on the slope.
“This sport is tough and you are pushing yourself to your limit at speed,” Alcott reflected.
Lindsey Vonn was airlifted to hospital after her crash | GETTY
“We have a standing ovation now as the helicopter goes.”
Vonn’s American team-mates were visibly shaken by the incident, their distress evident throughout the lengthy delay as their compatriot received medical attention.
Breezy Johnson, who had established herself in the gold medal position after posting the fastest early time, was among those deeply affected.
Alcott acknowledged the difficult position Johnson found herself in while occupying the leader’s chair.
“Breezy Johnson will not be enjoying sitting in that [gold medal] chair, we all know what Lindsey has done to our sport,” she said.
Competition resumed swiftly after the suspension, with Alcott explaining this was the safest approach for remaining athletes as rising temperatures increased the danger for those with later start numbers.
