Lindsey Vonn had a blast at the Paris Olympics, soaking up the camaraderie of sports and working on some truly heartwarming missions. But the alpine skiing legend returned to the U.S. with some heavy news that’s been weighing on her. After pouring her heart into enhancing the athlete experience in Paris and emphasizing the importance of family support during such a major event, Vonn returned home to face a tough reality. She took to Instagram to share the devastating news, revealing just how much this battle has taken out of her.

Vonn didn’t hold back, saying, “It’s been a tough few weeks and I’ve been trying not to let my emotions show but I need to say it out loud to process it.” Leo, her fur baby for the last 11 years, has lymphoma. After spotting some lumps on his body post-Paris, she rushed him to the vet. Although Leo’s still wagging his tail, he’s not as energetic, and the thought of losing him has Vonn feeling overwhelmed. “Leo is my first dog, he’s been with me for the past 11 years and I can’t even begin to think about life without him.”

But in true Lindsey style, she’s determined to support her furry friend through this fight. She shared, “BUT he’s a strong boy and we will do everything we can to beat this 💪🏻🙏🏻.” Right now, her top priority is to spend as much time as possible with Leo, and she’s asking her fans for a bit of understanding as she navigates this emotional rollercoaster. The hits just keep coming for Vonn.

She lost her beloved dog, Bear, in 2022, and not long after, her mom, Linda Krohn, passed away following a tough battle with ALS. Her mom was her biggest cheerleader, and losing her was a huge blow. Vonn shared the heartache with her followers, posting photos with her mom and a caption that read, “Trying to get back to normal…”

In the midst of all this, Vonn found comfort in her two new puppies, Leo and Lucy, who’ve brought some joy back into her life. She believes Bear is still watching over them, which gives her a little peace of mind. Now, as she and her army of fans rally around Leo, Vonn is focused on making the most of the time she has with him and tackling this journey head-on. Like she said, “Going to spend as much time with him as I can and support him in all of his treatments over the coming months.”

Reflecting on this news is a gut punch for fans who know just how much family means to her. In fact, her entire reason for being at the Paris Olympics was to infuse future games with that same sense of family!

Lindsey Vonn’s role in Paris Olympics and future at LA 2028

Lindsey Vonn, didn’t just show up at the Paris Olympics to soak up the atmosphere—she was there with a game-changing mission in mind. Reflecting on her own experiences, she recalled how, during her competing days, her family had to endure grueling three-hour train rides just to catch a glimpse of her racing. “I know my family had an amazing experience,” she said, but “trying to get everyone there was a lot.”

So, when she got involved in the Salt Lake City bid for the 2034 Winter Olympics, she knew exactly what she wanted: a family village designed to make life easier for athletes’ loved ones. Vonn’s idea is simple yet groundbreaking—housing, tickets, transportation, translation services, and all the logistical support families could need, all located right next to the athlete village.

“It’s never been done before in the Olympics, which actually is pretty surprising to me,” Vonn said during an interview at the Paris Olympics. “We’re going to take care of the families, not just the athletes.” Now that the International Olympic Committee has officially awarded the Games to Utah, Vonn’s vision is set to become a reality. With her influence, the 2034 Olympics are shaping up to be a whole lot more family-friendly, ensuring that everyone—not just the athletes—can fully enjoy the experience.

Coming home to the news about her beloved Leo after such a fulfilling mission has been a tough pill to swallow for Vonn. But life has thrown a lot at her, and if there’s one thing we know for sure, it’s that she’s a fighter—and so is Leo.