American skier Lindsey Vonn disclosed in a recent Instagram video that she was close to losing her left leg due to an extreme injury sustained during the women's downhill at the Milan Cortina Olympics. The injury, which she described as the most excruciating and challenging of her life, occurred when she collided with a gate and was violently propelled off her skiing path. The experience left her with lingering pain and trauma that she has struggled to articulate, as she described the ordeal as one that felt like it spanned 100 lifetimes.

Dr. Tom Hackett, who assisted Vonn immediately after the incident, played a crucial role in saving her leg from amputation. In her emotional recounting of the event, Vonn expressed immense gratitude towards the medical professional who treated her during her moment of critical injury. This incident highlights not only the physical ramifications of extreme sports but also the mental and emotional toll that athletes endure following traumatic events.

In a broader context, Vonn's revelation sheds light on the hazards that skiers face at the elite level, particularly in high-stakes environments such as the Olympics. Her message of resilience, as summed up by her phrase "life is too short not to take risks", resonates with many, emphasizing the importance of courage and the human spirit's capacity to overcome challenges, even in the face of near-tragedy.