Elite sport doesn’t forgive easily — especially in alpine skiing. As Lindsey Vonn weighs the possibility of another Olympic pursuit, the conversation has ignited across the sports world.

At 41, chasing the Olympics isn’t just about skill. It’s about recovery speed, bone density, ligament history, and brutal downhill forces that don’t care about résumé or reputation.

Critics call it risky.
Supporters call it fearless.

For some athletes, stepping away is harder than stepping back in. The Olympic dream has a way of pulling even the most decorated champions toward one more run.

Is it determination?
Is it legacy?
Or is it a gamble only the athlete herself truly understands?