Lindsey Vonn breaks down in interview after winning bronze in her last race in her signature Olympic event

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February 21, 2018 4:11 AM

Lindsey Vonn said she wished she could keep skiing but wasn't sure her body could take another four years.

Lindsey Vonn won bronze Wednesday in what was likely to be her last Olympic downhill race.
Afterward, Vonn got choked up while discussing her late grandfather and her career.
Vonn, who will compete in the Alpine combined on Friday, called it a "fun ride."

The US Alpine skier Lindsey Vonn won bronze in the downhill on Wednesday at the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, in what was most likely her final Olympic race in the event.

Vonn won gold in the downhill in the Vancouver Games in 2010.

As the event wrapped up Wednesday, as she sat in third, Vonn gave an interview to NBC and became emotional discussing her late grandfather, to whom she dedicated her Olympic performance. Vonn said she was hoping to win gold because of her grandfather but said she still believed she had made him proud, as she choked up.

"I never gave up, and I kept working hard and I am really proud of this medal," Vonn said.

She also discussed returning from multiple injuries. Vonn missed the 2014 Olympics with a torn ACL. Most recently, she hurt her back in the 2017-2018 World Cup and has had several other injuries in between the two Olympic Games.

"I gave it my best shot," she said. "I tried so hard and I worked my butt off. And I'm so proud to have competed with such amazing girls. My teammates have really supported me, and we've helped each other. Most of us have been injured pretty severely. So, I'm really happy and proud to have been competing with them and have their support."

Vonn is still set to compete in the Alpine combined on Friday, but she is not as heavy of a medal-favorite as she was in the downhill. She did not finish in the event in Vancouver.

"It's been a fun ride," Vonn said. As she choked up again, she said: "It's sad! It's my last downhill. I wish I could keep going.

"I have so much fun. I love what I do. My body just probably can't take another four years."

Watch the interview below:

In an emotional post-race i... @ NBC Olympics

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