Mariska Hargitay, known for her role in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, recently extended her support to friend and Olympic skier Lindsey Vonn following Vonn's unfortunate withdrawal from the Olympics due to a severe injury. This heartwarming gesture highlights the strong bond between the two women, as Hargitay personally visited Vonn in the hospital, offering comfort during her recovery from multiple surgeries.
Vonn, 41, shared a touching black-and-white image on her Instagram Stories, featuring Hargitay, 62, leaning affectionately against her while Vonn was in her hospital bed. Hargitay reciprocated by sharing the same image, underscoring their enduring friendship. Their connection dates back at least to Vonn's cameo appearance on Law & Order in 2010, and has been publicly acknowledged through various supportive interactions, including Hargitay's attendance at the premiere of Vonn's documentary, My Mom Jayne, in June 2025.
Vonn's Olympic comeback attempt was abruptly ended by a crash during the women's downhill event at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics on February 8. The incident resulted in a complex tibia fracture and a ruptured ACL in her left knee, an injury she had sustained just nine days prior. Despite her previous determination to compete, this new injury forced her to withdraw. International Ski and Snowboard Federation President Johan Eliasch cautioned against attributing the second crash solely to her prior knee injury, emphasizing the inherent risks in ski racing. Vonn, who has won three Olympic medals in the past, retired in 2019 due to previous knee injuries but returned in 2024 after a partial knee replacement. In a message to her fans on February 14, Vonn expressed no regrets, stating that she fully understood the risks involved and that, ultimately, “the mountain always holds the cards.”
This episode serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience required in elite sports and the importance of supportive friendships in overcoming life's challenges. Vonn's courage in facing repeated setbacks and her philosophical outlook on the risks of her sport are truly inspiring. Her journey, marked by both triumph and adversity, exemplifies the human spirit's capacity for perseverance and hope, reminding us that even in defeat, there is strength in acceptance and camaraderie.