The Last Dance

It was a virtual lifetime of single minded focus, a dedication more accurately considered an obsession. Lindsey Vonn's drive and ability to overcome serious injuries was mythical. Her 2010 gold medal occurring mere hours after clearly sustaining a concussion was both inspiring and terrifyingly unwise. 

But where was the joy, the humanity?

With these being her last Games, Lindsey Vonn the legend became Lindsey Vonn the human. She wept for the loss of her grandfather. She wept for the uncompromising declaration of her body that her time on this stage was ending. She was satisfied even in defeat. She took on the role of cheerleader and mentor for her teammates. She was looking back, not forward, grateful for the gifts that had been bestowed upon her rather than being consumed with what she had not yet achieved.

It was the role of elder stateswoman, able to see in her peripheral vision, soaking it in, being a participant in all elements of the Olympic experience.

And it was in seeing her vulnerability, her sadness and happiness in equal measure, her raw emotions now finally exposed, that the last Olympics of Lindsey Vonn may have in many ways been her finest.