Lindsey Vonn mourned the loss of her dog, Leo, who died the day after she broke her leg in a dramatic crash at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
“This has been an incredibly hard few days. Probably the hardest of my life,” Vonn, 41, shared via Instagram on Wednesday, February 18. “I still have not come to terms that he is gone …The day I crashed, so did Leo. He had been recently diagnosed with lung cancer (he survived lymphoma a year and a half ago) but now his heart was failing him. He was in pain and his body could no longer keep up with his strong mind.”
Vonn was airlifted off the course in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, on February 8, after crashing during the women’s downhill event.
“As I layed in my hospital bed the day after my crash, we said goodbye to my big boy,” Vonn said. “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 injury, when I needed him most. He held me on the sofa as I watched the Sochi Olympics. He lifted me up when I was down. He layed by me, and [cuddled] me, always making me feel safe and loved. We have been through so much together in 13 years.”
She added, “It’s going to be a while before I emotionally process things but I know he will always be with me.”
Vonn found comfort in her belief that Leo was surrounded by the skier’s loved ones who also recently passed away, including her dogs Lucy and Bear.
“I know he’s up there with Lucy and Bear and my mom and grandparents and so many people I have lost in the past few years,” she wrote. “And I [take] solace knowing he’s not in pain anymore.”
Vonn concluded her post, “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 🤍.”
After the crash, Vonn underwent four surgeries in Italy. She returned back to the United States on Tuesday, February 17, where more surgeries are on the horizon.
“Surgery went well today!” Vonn shared via Instagram on Saturday, February 14. “Thankfully I will be able to finally go back to the US! Once I’m back I will give you more updates and info about my injury… But until then, as I sit here in my bed reflecting, I have a few thoughts I’d like to share…”
She continued, “I have been reading a lot of messages and comments saying that what has happened to me makes them sad,” Vonn continued. “Please, don’t be sad. Empathy, love and support I welcome with an open heart, but please not sadness and sympathy. I hope instead it gives you strength to keep fighting, because that is what I am doing and that is what I will continue to do. Always.”
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