After five years away from competition due to injuries, the American star declared on Thursday that she will be making a comeback. The most decorated skier in history will return to the United States squad, though it remains to be seen if she will be able to compete in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo in 2026.
Triumphant comebacks when no one expects them are common in the sports world. At the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, a number of swimmers who had been out of the pool for years returned, gymnast Simone Biles made a stunning return after taking a break to protect her mental health, and Michael Jordan returned to basketball to win another NBA championship in the 1990s.
Since Mike Tyson, 58, hasn’t boxed in 20 years, anything is possible when he steps into the ring this Friday. Lindsey Vonn’s retirement was one of the most heartbreaking in the history of skiing. After her final competition at Pyeongchang 2018, she chose to retire in 2019 due to knee issues. She was “broken beyond repair” following a string of severe illnesses, but with a partial right knee replacement in April, she seemed to be pain-free. In a statement released by the US team, Vonn stated, “It has been an amazing journey to get back to skiing without pain.”
