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Lindsey Vonn's return home from Italy was meant to mark the beginning of recovery after a frightening Olympic crash. Instead, it marked the continuation of what she called "the hardest" stretch of her life.
On Wednesday morning, Vonn shared that her dog Leo passed away on February 9, just one day after she crashed during the women's downhill at the 2026 Winter Olympics. The timing of the two events has left the 41-year-old grappling with overlapping physical and emotional pain.
"2013-2/9/2026 Leo has passed away and joined Lucy and Bear up in heaven. This has been an incredibly hard few days. Probably the hardest of my life. I still have not come to terms that he is gone..." Vonn wrote on Instagram.
The Olympic downhill accident in Milan occurred on Feb. 8, only seconds into her run. Vonn came in too early on a gate, catching her right arm and pole, which sent her tumbling down the course.
She was airlifted to a hospital in Treviso, where doctors diagnosed a significant fracture in her left tibia. She ultimately underwent four surgeries before being cleared to travel back to the United States.
While she was recovering in a hospital bed overseas, Leo's condition rapidly declined.
"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," she added.
"As I layed [sic] in my hospital bed the day after my crash, we said goodbye to my big boy. 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 [sic] by me, and cuddle[d] me, always making me feel safe and loved. We have been through so much together in 13 years."
Recovery continues amid grief
Even as she processes Leo's death, Vonn's physical rehabilitation remains ongoing. In the same post, she revealed she was preparing for a fifth surgery on her injured leg.
"It's going to be a while before I emotionally process things but I know he will always be with me. 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. And [I take solace] knowing he's not in pain anymore," she wrote.
"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."