Lindsey Vonn, a renowned professional skier, is set to make her comeback at the age of 40 this weekend at the FIS Fall Festival in Copper Mountain, Colorado. Vonn will be competing in Downhill and Super-G events on Saturday and Sunday, respectively, as confirmed by U.S. Ski Team head coach Paul Kristofic.
Having last raced in 2019 and clinching a bronze at the World Championships in Sweden, Vonn's ambition appears to be aimed at returning to the pinnacle of the sport, the World Cup. Her participation in the lower-level races in Colorado indicates her determination to climb back to the top of competitive skiing.
Vonn, a former top female skier globally, boasts an impressive resume that includes three Olympic medals - two bronze and one gold. Until 2023, she held the record for the most first-place World Cup finishes among women before being surpassed by compatriot Mikaela Shiffrin.
Notably, Vonn is not the only elite athlete who has excelled well beyond the typical retirement age in sports. Athletes like Tom Brady, Serena Williams, LeBron James, Phil Mickelson, Randy Johnson, and Jaromir Jagr have all defied age expectations to continue their dominance in their respective sports.
Tom Brady, the NFL legend, holds numerous records after a 20-year career with the New England Patriots and later the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Serena Williams, one of the greatest tennis players of all time, has won 23 Grand Slam titles and reached the semifinals of the Australian Open at age 39. LeBron James, the NBA superstar, continues to lead the league in scoring as he approaches his 40th birthday. Phil Mickelson, known for his golf prowess, became the oldest major winner in PGA Tour history at nearly 51 years old. Randy Johnson, the MLB pitcher, achieved a perfect game at age 40, solidifying his place in baseball history. Jaromir Jagr, the NHL veteran, ranks second in career NHL points and still competes at age 52.
These athletes serve as inspirations for sports enthusiasts worldwide, showcasing that age is just a number when it comes to achieving greatness in athletics.
