American ski racer Lindsey Vonn became emotional after she missed out on gold in after a solid run that may be her final downhill race of her Olympic career.
Vonn, who finished 0.47 seconds behind leader Sofia Goggia of Italy, took home bronze, also hit back at the cruel internet trolls who have targeted her after she claimed her bronze medal.
The skier faced taunts and abuse after she said President Donald Trump did not represent her.
When asked by DailyMail.com about the savage abuse she had received, she said: ‘I agree it has been “savage abuse.”‘
‘I think the most important thing about social media is to be who you are and remember that everything on social media lasts forever. Social media can be used in a very positive way if you are a good person.
‘But I feel recently it has taken a different turn and I hope that instead of tearing people down we can build people up.
‘Sports is supposed to be about uplifting…this is the Olympics. We cheer for every country instead of hoping somebody falls or skis of a cliff and dies.’
American ski racer Lindsey Vonn (pictured) became emotional after she missed out on gold in the women’s downhill after a solid run that may be her final downhill race of her Olympic career
Instead, Vonn, who finished 0.47 seconds behind leader Sofia Goggia of Italy , took home bronze, making her the oldest female medalist in Alpine skiing at the Winter Games at the age of 33
Vonn was the seventh racer to take the course at Jeongseon Alpine Center on Wednesday and finished third in 1.39.69
After the race was over, Vonn teared up as she talked about wanting to win gold for her late grandfather, Don Kildow, who passed away last fall. Vonn has raced with his initials ‘D’ and ‘K’ written on her helmet next to a small heart throughout the Pyeongchang Olympics
Legendary skier Lindsey Vonn speaks to DailyMail.com about ‘savage abuse’ she has taken from trolls for her anti-Trump views
Lindsey Vonn hit back at the cruel internet trolls who targeted her after she claimed her bronze medal
Lindsey Vonn hit back at the cruel internet trolls who targeted her after she claimed her bronze medal.
The skier faced taunts and abuse after she said President Trump did not represent her.
Asked by Daily Mail.com about the savage abuse she had received, she said: ‘I agree it has been “savage abuse.”‘
‘I think the most important thing about social media is to be who you are and remember that everything on social media lasts forever.
‘Social media can be used in a very positive way if you are a good person.
‘But I feel recently it has taken a different turn and I hope that instead of tearing people down we can build people up.
‘Sports is supposed to be about uplifting…this is the Olympics.
‘We cheer for every country instead of hoping somebody falls or skis of a cliff and dies.
‘It is hard for me to understand the thought behind the savage abuse I have taken on the internet.
‘In real life most people wouldn’t say that to me to my face. My family loves me so I am fine with that.’
When she was asked if she had a message for her haters, she said: ‘They should walk ion my shoes.
‘But I’ll will not be beaten. I stand strong. I am proof of what I represent.
‘I am very proud to hold the American flag and all Americans deserve to hold the flag and be proud of their country no matter what their beliefs.
‘That is what makes America great. I’m not beaten. I am standing on the podium and I feel like I have won a gold medal.
Vonn said her career had had its ‘ups and downs’ and she wishes she could continue with her Olympic career after her final event tomorrow.
‘I have ad my ups and downs and it has all made me who am, a stronger person.
‘It also makes you appreciate every opportunity you have. I am so thankful to be here and on the podium for what is most likely my last downhill race.
The skier faced taunts and abuse after she said President Trump did not represent her
‘I wish I could keep going. I wish this wasn’t my last, but it is an I am trying to accept that and deal with the emotions.
‘But I never thought of quitting because of any injury. It has taken its toll and that’s why can’t keep ski racing. I think my injuries made me stronger. I wouldn’t be the same person that I am today
‘I have been in the fences so many times. I know many doctors on a first name basis… it is ridiculous.
‘So if you need any medical care let me know. I could hook you up with the right doctor.
‘I have been through the hard times. I wouldn’t change. But I would like a little less pain
‘I am really proud to have a medal and to be in the podium with the next generation of the sport.
‘I’m gonna miss the Olympics and that is one of the reasons why tit was so emotional for me today.
‘I love racing at the Olympics with so much pressure you feel suffocated and you throw yourself down a mountain for the hope of a medal.
‘I wish I could keep skiing. I wish my body didn’t hurt as much as it does.’
Vonn’s bronze win makes her the oldest female medalist in Alpine skiing at the Winter Games at the age of 33.
The record was held by Austria’s Michaela Dorfmeister, who was just shy of her 33rd birthday when she won the downhill and the super-G at the 2006 Turin Olympics.
Vonn told DailyMail.com that it has been hard her to ‘understand the thought behind the savage abuse I have taken on the internet’.
‘In real life most people wouldn’t say that to me to my face. My family loves me so I am fine with that.’
When Vonn was asked if she had a message for her haters, she said: ‘They should walk in my shoes.
‘But I will not be beaten. I stand strong. I am proof of what I represent. I am very proud to hold the American flag and all Americans deserve to hold the flag and be proud of their country no matter what their beliefs.
‘That is what makes America great. I’m not beaten. I am standing on the podium and I feel like I have won a gold medal,’ Vonn said.
Vonn said her career had had its ‘ups and downs’ and she wishes she could continue with her Olympic career after her final event tomorrow.
‘It’s sad it’s my last downhill. I wish I could keep going. My body probably can’t take another four years’ Vonn said after her race
‘I have had my ups and downs and it has all made me who am, a stronger person.
Mowinckel of Norway wins the silver medal, Goggia of Italy wins the gold medal and Vonn wins the bronze medal during the Alpine Skiing Women’s Downhill
The medalist posed for photos together during the victory ceremony for the Ladies’ Downhill on day 12 of the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games
‘It also makes you appreciate every opportunity you have. I am so thankful to be here and on the podium for what is most likely my last downhill race.
‘I wish I could keep going. I wish this wasn’t my last, but it is an I am trying to accept that and deal with the emotions.
‘But I never thought of quitting because of any injury. It has taken its toll and that’s why can’t keep ski racing. I think my injuries made me stronger. I wouldn’t be the same person that I am today
‘I have been in the fences so many times. I know many doctors on a first name basis… it is ridiculous. So if you need any medical care let me know. I could hook you up with the right doctor.
‘I have been through the hard times. I wouldn’t change. But I would like a little less pain
‘I am really proud to have a medal and to be in the podium with the next generation of the sport.
‘I’m gonna miss the Olympics and that is one of the reasons why it was so emotional for me today.
‘I love racing at the Olympics with so much pressure you feel suffocated and you throw yourself down a mountain for the hope of a medal. I wish I could keep skiing. I wish my body didn’t hurt as much as it does,’ Vonn added.
After the race was over, Vonn teared up as she talked about wanting to win gold for her late grandfather, Don Kildow, who passed away last fall.
‘I wanted to win so much because of him. But I still think I made him proud. And our family never gives up and I never gave up. I kept working hard and I am really proud of this medal and I know he is too,’ she told NBC.
Vonn has raced with her grandfather’s initials ‘D’ and ‘K’ written on her helmet next to a small heart throughout the Pyeongchang Olympics.
‘I gave it my best shot. I tried so hard and I worked my butt off,’ Vonn said. ‘It’s sad it’s my last downhill. I wish I could keep going. My body probably can’t take another four years’ Vonn told NBC.
Vonn’s coach Chris Knight said her run had been ‘tentative, uncharacteristic and not quite charging’.
Vonn blows a kiss during the victory ceremony of the women’s Downhill at the Jeongseon Alpine Center
Starting 19th in the field of 39 skiers, Norwegian Ragnhild Mowinckel put herself in silver medal position at 1:39.31 to knock Vonn (pictured), the 2010 champion, down to third
He said there been a lot of expectation on her and this may have played on her mind.
But he added: ‘Somebody told me she was smiling at the start. She was talking a lot about her grandad and maybe he was in her last thoughts.’
Vonn said last week that her grandfather had been a huge inspiration and she wanted to perform well in his memory and she always kept him on her mind. He died last November.
When asked by Daily Mail.com whether the savage Internet abuse she has received and paid on her mind, Knight said he had not read any of it.
He added: ‘I Keep well away from social media. Thats the last thing I want in my head when I’m trying to prepare somebody.’
Knight said Vonn, who had been hampered long term by a injured knee, would need a ‘medical miracle’ if she were to appear at the next winter Olympics in Beijing when she will be 37 years old.
Vonn was the seventh racer to take the course at Jeongseon Alpine Center on Wednesday and finished third at 1.39.69.
Starting 19th in the field of 39 skiers, Norwegian Ragnhild Mowinckel put herself in silver medal position at 1:39.31 to knock Vonn, the 2010 champion, down to third. Mowinckel also earned silver in the giant slalom at these Games.
‘I skied a great race today,’ Vonn said on NBC after her run. ‘Sofia [Goggia] just skied better than I did.’
Shortly after the race, Goggia paid tribute to Vonn.
Asked for her views on Vonn’s career she said: ‘Shes the greatest skier. Really you’re asking me to comment on the greatest skier? That speaks for itself.’
Vonn, generally considered the greatest female ski racer in history, was in strong form heading into the Pyeongchang Olympics, winning the last three World Cup downhills she entered beforehand.
Vonn (pictured), generally considered the greatest female ski racer in history, was in strong form heading into the Pyeongchang Olympics, winning the last three World Cup downhills she entered beforehand
Sofia Goggia (pictured) of Italy took home the gold medal in the women’s downhill race
Most considered her the favorite, and she looked good in training runs – finishing fourth fastest during practice.
Vonn missed the Sochi Games four years ago after tearing ligaments in her right knee and has said this will be her last go-round at an Olympics.
‘Tomorrow I will push out of the starting gate in what will most likely be my last Olympic Downhill race. I’m trying to enjoy the moment as much as I can and I am thankful to share this race with such amazing teammates,’ Vonn tweeted on Tuesday.
‘I know everyone expects a lot from me, and I expect even more of myself….however there’s only one thing I can guarantee; I will give everything I have tomorrow. Count on it,’ she added.
Her bronze medal win comes just days after she hit back at social media trolls who attacked her for refusing to attend the Trump White House.
On Saturday in Pyeongchang, she finished a disappointing sixth in the Super-G. Shortly after her race, she received a torrent of abuse from critics who said it was ‘karma’ she hadn’t won.
‘Lindsey Vonn is the latest to suffer from ‘Trump Effect’. Should keep your mouth shut and race. Don’t insult us,’ said one Trump fan.
‘Karma is a mo fo. Glad to see you lose. You’re an anti-American,’ another quipped.
‘Karma will always bite you… that’s what you get for trying to get political when you should have just focused on the Olympics.
Vonn’s bronze medal win comes just days after she hit back at social media trolls who attacked her for refusing to attend the Trump White House.
On Saturday in Pyeongchang, she finished a disappointing sixth in the Super-G. Shortly after her race, she received a torrent of abuse from critics who said it was ‘karma’ she hadn’t won
Vonn has won two Olympic medals in previous years. She is pictured during the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic Games
Before traveling to Pyeongchang to take part in the Winter Olympics, Vonn said she would not celebrate any victory she might receive at the White House.
In a December 7 interview, she made her opinion of Trump and the current administration clear, saying that she was not there to represent him or them but was there for the people of the United States’.
‘I take the Olympics very seriously and what they mean and what they represent, what walking under our flag means in the opening ceremony,’ she said.
‘I want to represent our country well. I don’t think that there are a lot of people currently in our government that do that,’ she said told CNN in December.
In the same interview, Vonn said she would ‘absolutely not’ accept an invitation to Trump’s White House.
She said: ‘Nope. But I have to win to be invited. No, actually, I think every US team member is invited, so no, I won’t go,’ she said. She later said the rest of the world no longer viewed America as a country of hope.
In recent weeks, she has complained online about the lack of financial support the government gives the Olympics and she has also called on congress for tighter gun laws in wake of the Parkland high school shooting on Valentine’s Day.
Vonn will compete in the Super Combined, though she is not considered to be a gold medal threat in that event.