NBC, Olympics Under Fire for Decision After Heartbreaking Lindsey Vonn Crash
United States star skier Lindsey Vonn is in “stable condition” after undergoing surgery to treat a fracture in her left leg following her crash in the downhill final on Sunday morning.
According to the Associated Press, the surgery was performed at the Ca’ Foncello hospital in Treviso - on the same leg she suffered a torn ACL in just days before her final Olympics.
NBC, Olympics Taking Heat for Decision After Vonn's Crash
Immediately following the crash, Vonn appeared to scream out in pain, leading viewers watching from home to question the decision-making from the Olympics, being broadcast on NBC and streamed on Peacock.
"Today I will fall asleep with Lindsey Vonn screams ringing in my ears, thanks to you, TV producers of the #Olympics2026 absolutely horrible decision to volume that up," one social media user said.
"Whoever is choosing the images to show at Winter Olympics should hang their head in shame. Playing Vonn’s horrific crash on repeat, allowing us to hear her sob in pain is unforgivable," offered another.
"Watching Lindsey Vonn fall and hearing her scream in panic is terrible," added a third.
"Can't believe they didn't cut the sound after Vonn crashed. You can hear her yelling in pain," questioned another.
The broadcast showed several replays of the crash.
Vonn Sent Defiant Message Before Crash
Knowing this might be her last chance at a medal, Vonn offered a defiant message on social media before the accident.
“I will stand in the starting gate tomorrow and know I am strong. Know that I believe in myself. Know that the odds are stacked against me with my age, no ACL, and a titanium knee- but know that I still believe. And usually, when the odds are stacked against me the most, I pull the best of what’s inside me out,” she said.”
“I will race tomorrow in my final Olympic Downhill and while I can’t guarantee a good result, I can guarantee I will give it everything I have. But no matter what happens, I have already won.”
Related: Lindsey Vonn Injury Update: Team USA Reveals Latest After Horrific Crash