Lara Gut-Behrami’s Olympic Dream in Doubt: Can She Return for Milano Cortina 2026?

The road to the 2026 Winter Olympics has been filled with anticipation, but for Lara Gut-Behrami, it has turned into a story of uncertainty, resilience, and unanswered questions. Once expected to defend her Olympic title, the Swiss champion now faces a far more difficult challenge—recovering from a serious knee injury in time to compete at all.

In late 2025, Gut-Behrami suffered a devastating training crash that resulted in multiple ligament injuries in her left knee, including a torn ACL, medial collateral ligament, and meniscus. The severity of the injury immediately ruled her out of the entire 2025–26 season and, more critically, the Olympic Games themselves.

Following the accident, she underwent surgery, which was later confirmed to be successful. Doctors completed the procedure without complications, and Gut-Behrami expressed optimism as she began her rehabilitation journey.

However, a successful operation does not guarantee a timely return—especially in a sport as physically demanding as alpine skiing.

The Reality of Recovery

Knee ligament injuries of this magnitude typically require months of intensive rehabilitation, often extending close to a year before an athlete can safely return to elite competition. For Gut-Behrami, the timing could not be worse. The Olympic calendar leaves little margin for recovery, training, and regaining race-level form.

Even before her injury, she had planned to retire after the 2025–26 season, making the upcoming Olympics a symbolic final chapter of her career. Now, that chapter is at risk of being rewritten entirely.

While she has remained publicly positive—emphasizing her focus on recovery rather than immediate competition—there has been no official indication that she will be fit in time to compete in Italy. In fact, initial reports clearly stated that she would miss the Olympic Games due to the injury.

A Career Defined by Comebacks

This is not the first time Gut-Behrami has faced adversity. Throughout her career, she has battled injuries and returned to the top of the sport, winning Olympic gold and multiple World Cup titles. That history of resilience offers a glimmer of hope.

Yet, there is a difference between returning to skiing and returning at Olympic-winning level. Alpine skiing demands not only physical strength but also confidence in high-speed, high-risk conditions—something that can take time to rebuild after a major knee injury.

Hope vs. Reality

So, will Lara Gut-Behrami make the 2026 Winter Olympics?

At present, the realistic answer leans toward no, based on official statements and the severity of her injury. She has been ruled out of the season that includes the Olympics, and there has been no confirmed reversal of that decision.

However, sport is never entirely predictable. Athletes have defied timelines before, and Gut-Behrami’s determination cannot be underestimated. If her rehabilitation progresses exceptionally well, a late comeback—while unlikely—cannot be completely dismissed.

Conclusion

Lara Gut-Behrami’s situation is a powerful reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in elite sport. From Olympic contender to sidelined champion, her journey now depends on patience, recovery, and time.

Whether or not she appears on the slopes in Italy, her legacy is already secure. But for fans and for the athlete herself, the hope remains alive—however faint—that one final Olympic moment could still be possible.

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