Lindsey Vonn mourns the loss of her dog Leo
Lindsey Vonn has announced the passing of her cherished dog, Leo, just days following her serious injury during the Winter Olympics in Cortina, Italy, reports BritPanorama.
The 41-year-old Olympic skiing champion shared this devastating news on social media as she returned to the United States after receiving treatment for a complex tibia fracture sustained during her race.
“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, sharing photos of her beloved pet.
Leo had been diagnosed with lung cancer approximately 18 months after overcoming lymphoma. Notably, his health deteriorated on the same day Vonn suffered her injury on the slopes. “He was in pain and his body could no longer keep up with his strong mind,” she explained.
Vonn bid farewell to Leo while recovering in her hospital bed, only one day after her accident. “As I [laid] 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,” she reflected.
Vonn first adopted Leo in 2014 from an animal shelter. The dog had initially been recovering from a knee injury after being struck by a vehicle. “My boy has been with me since my second ACL injury, when I needed him most,” Vonn said, adding that Leo provided comfort throughout their companionship.
The skiing legend also revealed her struggles, highlighting how Leo lifted her spirits during challenging times, such as when she watched the Sochi Olympics post-injury. “There will never be another Leo. He will always be my first love,” she remarked.
As for Vonn’s current situation, she underwent four surgeries in Italy before being discharged, now preparing for a fifth operation in the United States to remove the external fixator from her leg. “My leg is still in pieces but I’m finally HOME!” she expressed on Instagram.
The intertwining of both personal loss and professional challenges showcases the complexity of Vonn’s experiences, reminding us how the realms of sport and life often overlap in unexpected ways.
