Sir Chris Hoy has sent a message of support to Lindsey Vonn after the skier's horrific crash at the Winter Olympics, which left her with a broken leg and compartment syndrome. The six-time Olympic champion cyclist, who suffered a similar injury in a cycling accident last year, shared his thoughts on his Sporting Midadventures podcast.
Vonn, 41, described the injury as 'by far the most extreme, painful and challenging' she has ever had, adding that 'everything was in pieces'. She revealed Dr Tom Hackett saved her leg from amputation through a fasciotomy, a procedure to relieve pressure caused by compartment syndrome. Vonn also sustained a fractured ankle and required a blood transfusion after multiple operations.
Hoy, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer and continues to cycle while receiving treatment, said: 'Looking at all her fractures, the X-rays and the media coverage, it's a very similar injury, a tibia plateau fracture.' He noted that Vonn's metal plates were 'a little bit further down' than his, joking that she had 'outdone' him.
Hoy said he was given the same warning about the risk of amputation from compartment syndrome. 'She's right in the thick of it now and my thoughts are with her and with anyone else with an injury like that because it's not much fun,' he added. Hoy, who has a slight limp, is now back riding for up to two-and-a-half hours.
