The 2010 Olympic downhill champion tore her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) while competing just nine days before the Games began.

The two-time world champion says the torn ACL and her previous injuries, including a partial right knee replacement, "had nothing to do with my crash whatsoever".

Vonn's decision to race has led to widespread praise for her bravery but also criticism about the dangers and potential risk of permanent damage.

"It always was and always will be an incredibly dangerous sport. And similar to ski racing, we take risks in life," she said.

"We dream. We love. We jump. And sometimes we fall. Sometimes our hearts are broken. Sometimes we don't achieve the dreams we know we could have. But that is also the beauty of life; we can try.

"I hope if you take away anything from my journey it's that you all have the courage to dare greatly. Life is too short not to take chances on yourself. Because the only failure in life is not trying.

"I tried. I dreamt. I jumped."

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