BREAKING: Lindsey Vonn & her loyal dog Leo passed away on the SAME devastating day she shattered her leg in a brutal Olympics crash – now her family shares her gut-wrenching final words to her “big boy” from a hospital bed! 😭💔🐾

The skiing legend, 41, was fighting for one last Olympic glory in Milan-Cortina when she crashed hard in the downhill, tearing through a complex tibia fracture that ended her comeback and landed her in surgery after surgery. But the real heartbreak? Her 13-year-old Leo – her constant companion through injuries, losses, and triumphs – “crashed” too that very day, his heart failing amid lung cancer after beating lymphoma.

From her hospital bed the next day (Feb 9), Vonn had to say goodbye remotely, whispering those final, soul-crushing words as vets eased Leo’s pain:

Olympic skiing icon Lindsey Vonn faced an unimaginable double tragedy during her comeback attempt at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics: a severe leg injury that ended her competition and, just one day later, the loss of her longtime canine companion, Leo.

Vonn, 41, crashed violently during the women’s downhill event on Feb. 8 at the Tofana Alpine Skiing Center. Competing despite a pre-existing torn ACL, she suffered a complex tibia fracture in her left leg, requiring immediate medical evacuation by helicopter and multiple surgeries. The injury sidelined her from further events and marked a painful end to what she had hoped would be a storybook return to Olympic competition.

The following day, Feb. 9, brought even more heartbreak. Vonn announced on Instagram that her 13-year-old dog, Leo, had passed away after a rapid decline in health. Leo had previously battled and survived lymphoma a year and a half earlier, but a recent diagnosis of lung cancer led to heart failure. “The day I crashed, so did Leo,” Vonn wrote in a lengthy, emotional post. “He was in pain and his body could no longer keep up with his strong mind.”

From her hospital bed in Italy, Vonn had to make the difficult decision to say goodbye remotely as veterinarians eased Leo’s suffering. “As I laid in my hospital bed the day after my crash, we said goodbye to my big boy,” she shared. “I had lost so much that meant something to me in such a short amount of time. I can’t believe it.”

Vonn described the past few days as “probably the hardest of my life,” admitting she had yet to fully process Leo’s passing. She paid tribute to the dog’s unwavering loyalty, noting he had been with her since her second ACL injury and provided comfort during challenging periods, including watching the 2014 Sochi Olympics from home when she couldn’t compete due to injury. “He lifted me up,” she wrote, adding that Leo joined her previous dogs, Lucy and Bear, “up in heaven.”

“There will never be another Leo. He will always be my first love,” Vonn concluded, sharing photos and videos of Leo alongside her message. She noted heading into additional surgery while thinking of him, finding some solace in knowing he was no longer in pain.

The news reverberated across the sports world and among Vonn’s millions of followers. Leo had become a familiar figure in her public life, often featured in social media posts as a source of joy amid the highs and lows of her career. Vonn, a three-time Olympic medalist and one of the most decorated alpine skiers in history, has long been open about her love for animals and the emotional support they provided during injuries and personal challenges.

Medical updates on Vonn’s condition indicate she underwent four surgeries initially, with more procedures expected after returning to the United States. The complex nature of the tibia fracture has raised concerns about long-term recovery, though Vonn has remained determined in past comebacks from similar setbacks.

The timing of the dual losses amplified the emotional impact. Vonn’s Olympic run had already drawn attention for its risks—she pushed through a torn ACL to chase one final medal, defying odds in a sport known for its physical demands. The crash, while unfortunate, was not entirely unexpected given the high speeds and icy conditions, but the subsequent passing of Leo added a deeply personal layer to the story.

Fans and fellow athletes flooded social media with condolences. Messages poured in praising Leo’s role in Vonn’s life and offering support for her recovery. “Sending all the love,” one commenter wrote, while another noted, “Leo was family—heartbreaking to lose him at such a tough moment.”

Vonn has not indicated any immediate plans beyond surgery and rehabilitation. Her post suggested a period of emotional processing ahead, with Leo’s memory serving as both comfort and reminder of what she has endured. “It’s going to be a while before I emotionally process things but I know he will always be with me,” she wrote. “I will love you forever my big boy.”

The incident underscores the human side of elite athletics, where triumphs and tragedies often intersect in unpredictable ways. For Vonn, whose career has been marked by resilience in the face of repeated injuries, this latest chapter represents another test of strength—physical and emotional.

As she begins the long road to recovery, the skiing community and beyond continue to rally around one of its most enduring figures. Whether this marks the end of her competitive days or simply another chapter remains unclear, but Vonn’s tribute to Leo stands as a poignant reminder of the bonds that sustain athletes through their greatest challenges.