US star Lindsey Vonn is worried about the people in her homeland. © APA/afp / ODD ANDERSEN

“Heart is heavy”: Vonn worried about people in Minnesota

Alpine superstar Lindsey Vonn is following the actions of the ICE immigration authority in her home state of Minnesota with concern.

February 05, 2026

From: dpa/sn

“I have family and friends in Minnesota, where I grew up. My heart is incredibly heavy for everyone back home,” the 41-year-old American said at a press conference before the start of the Winter Olympics in Cortina d’Ampezzo.

Vonn was born in Saint Paul, Minnesota's capital, which together with Minneapolis forms the Twin Cities metropolitan area. In Minneapolis, a woman and a man were shot and killed by ICE officers during an operation. This sparked numerous further protests.

What Lindsey Vonn also says

“I believe the best thing I can do is to do exactly what I said I would: to stand tall, to have hope, and to show the world what America is, who we are as human beings, because we are more than what is happening right now,” said the 2010 downhill Olympic champion in Vancouver.

Lindsey Vonn before the press conference in Cortina d'Ampezzo. © ANSA / JEAN-CHRISTOPHE BOTT

The 84-time World Cup winner intends to compete in the Winter Games despite a torn cruciate ligament in her left knee. The skier sustained the injury in a fall during the Olympic dress rehearsal in Crans-Montana, Switzerland.

“I can only do my best to represent our country in the best way possible. It’s an honor to be here. I take this very seriously. I always do my best to make our country proud, and I hope I can do that at these Games,” Vonn explained. Her first scheduled start is on February 8 in the downhill race in Cortina.