THEindsey and Leo, Leo and Lindsey: the alpine skier and her dog have been one for the last 13 years. She tells it herself, in the post on Instagram in which she announces the death of the animal. Coincidentally, on the very day of his disastrous fall on the track, during the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. As Lindsey Vonn fell, Leo died.
Lindsey Vonn’s farewell to her dog Leo, who died the day of her fall at Milano Cortina 2026
While she was being transported to the hospital after her injury, her “big boy” succumbed to lung cancer and the heart stopped. As she said goodbye to her dream of competing in the Games in her hospital bed, Lindsey had to say goodbye to him too. «In such a short time I have lost so much that meant something to me».
Leo lived with the skier for 13 years: «He has been with me since my second ACL injury, when I needed him most. He held me on the couch while I watched the Sochi Olympics. He picked me up when I was down. He would lie down next to me and cuddle me, always making me feel safe and loved.”
«I have lost so much, in such a short time»
Lindsey Vonn knows, it will take a while before she can emotionally process everything that has happened, «but I know that he will always be with me.
Lindsey Vonn with her dog Lucy. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
«I know he’s up there with Lucy and Bearmy mother, my grandparents and many people I have lost in recent years. And it consoles me to know that he no longer suffers”, writes Vonn, remembering the other two dogs who were his life companions. Lucy had disappeared a few months ago. Bear, however, had died in 2022.
We imagine her waiting in bed and thinking. «Today I will undergo another surgery. I will think of him when I close my eyes».
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