Lindsey Vonn to Receive Huge Olympic Payment Despite Horror Crash Ending Games
Team USA star Lindsey Vonn is reportedly set to take home a huge bonus despite suffering a horrible crash that ended her Winter Olympic Games.
Over the weekend, the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympic Games began, with athletes looking to take home medals.
Ahead of the Games, one of the major talking points was Vonn, who suffered an ACL injury less than two weeks ago.
However, the 41-year-old decided to compete in the downhill event in Cortina despite her injury.
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On Sunday, Vonn was involved in a serious accident as her right ski pole clipped an outside gate shortly before the first timing point.
As a result, Vonn tumbled down the course after hitting the ground.
Afterwards, she was airlifted to the hospital, and it has since been confirmed that Vonn was in a 'stable condition' and undergoing treatment.
Despite her Olympic dream ending in disaster, it has been reported that Vonn is still set to come away with a huge bonus.
Ahead of the Games, it was reported by The Wall Street Journal that financier Ross Stevens 'will give $200,000 to each U.S. Olympic and Paralympic athlete, regardless of performance'.
It has been stated that half of the money will come '20 years after their first qualifying Olympic appearance or at age 45, whichever comes later'.
Meanwhile, the other $100,000 will come in the form of a 'guaranteed benefit' for the athletes' families after they pass away.
Stevens said: "I do not believe that financial insecurity should stop our nation’s elite athletes from breaking through to new frontiers of excellence."
It is believed that the total of Stevens' donation will be $100 million, which is a record gift to the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee.
Following the crash, the women's downhill event was halted for around 20 minutes.
Vonn's Team USA teammate, Breezy Johnson, ended up winning the gold medal.
She told reporters that, according to her coach, Vonn had been 'cheering for me' from the medical helicopter.
Johnson said, via People: "Her coach said she was cheering for me in the helicopter, so I hope for the best for her.
"I hope that it's not too bad. My heart aches for her. It's such a brutal sport sometimes."
She added: "It can hurt you so badly but you keep coming back for more."
Topics: Olympics
Marcus Chan