Olympic downhill medal contender Breezy Johnson will miss the Beijing Winter Games due to a knee injury sustained in a crash, she said on Tuesday.
The withdrawal of American Johnson from the February 4 – 20 Olympics came with the participation of defending downhill champion Sofia Goggia in doubt after the Italian suffered a knee injury.
Johnson took to social media saying, “It was a large chunk of cartilage that is partially dislodged. I was given the option to try to compete on it. But I don’t think that that is realistic or smart. I could do more damage and I certainly don’t think I will be skiing my best.”
“I wanted so badly to realise my dream of becoming an Olympic Champion. To bask in the glow of that sunset. But the reality is that the risks, and there are always risks, are no longer worth it.”
Johnson, who turned 26 last week, finished seventh in the downhill at the 2018 Winter Olympics.
China dismisses growing international diplomatic boycott of Beijing Winter Olympics
In December China dismissed the growing international diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Winter Olympics.
Australia joined the United States, announcing that it won’t send a political delegation to the Games, due to concerns over human rights abuses in China.
MEDIA ALERT ?
Sadly, downhiller and @TeamUSA Olympic medal hopeful, @_BreezyJohnson, announced on Tuesday that she will sit out of the upcoming Olympic Games due to a knee injury sustained at @cortinaSkiWcup. ❤️?Read More: https://t.co/XYFsfaLzcs pic.twitter.com/w86znMigkN
— U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team (@usskiteam) January 25, 2022
