Return of the ski stars: Danger or enrichment for sport?

Return of the ski stars: Danger or enrichment for sport?

St. Moritz, Schweiz - The return of Ski-icon Lindsey Vonn into the World Cup has caused a sensation in the sports world. The former Olympic champion started at the age of 40 and an artificial knee joint in the Super-G of St. Moritz and took 14th place. This return provides both enthusiasm and critical voices. Ex-Ski racing runner Viktoria Rebensburg told “Sport1” that she can basically understand the reasons behind such comebacks, but also does not want to ignore the risks. She mentions Marcel Hirscher as an example, whose career was also burdened by injuries, which illustrates the dangers of a comeback. According to Rebensburg, ski racing is always associated with a risk. This situation can also affect younger skiers and is not only reserved for new “returnees”, as she emphasizes while she is shocked by Hirscher’s injury.

returnee in focus

The large number of comebacks in the current ski circus, including the appearance of Vonn, polarizes the opinions. While some experts praise the courage of the athletes and promote the visibility of skiing, others criticize that Vonn acts as a self-portrayal in particular and consider her comeback plan as dangerous. "I can understand all sides," said Rebensburg, which accepts the different perception. Despite the health challenges that the return brings, she sees a positive development for sport overall, as the returnees bring exciting stories and more attention.

The delicacy of the situation is reinforced by the fact that the health and physical well -being of the athletes should always come first. Vonn in particular has to be careful of her artificial knee joint, which raises the question of how long it can compete with this risk at the highest level, as the Krone . Such considerations are essential when athletes venture into the ski slope again in a sport with high physical requirements and the possibility of serious injuries.