People hope 'I break my neck' after Trump comments: Vonn

[December 13, 2017]  (Reuters) - Social media users have told American skier Lindsey Vonn they hoped she broke her neck after the Olympic champion made comments they deemed to be critical of U.S. President Donald Trump, she said on Tuesday.

The 33-year-old said in an interview last week that she wanted to "represent the people of United States not the President", at February's Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, which had sparked a backlash on social media.

"It is hurtful to read comments where people are hoping I break my neck or that God is punishing me for being 'anti-Trump,'" Vonn said in a post on Instagram on Tuesday.

Vonn, the most successful female World Cup alpine skier of all time, added she was trying to make the point during her CNN interview that Olympic athletes represent their nation and not any specific political party or individual.

Trump, who is often quick to respond to criticism from high-profile people, has not yet weighed in on Vonn's comments.

Vonn, who won gold in the downhill at the 2010 Vancouver Games but missed the 2014 Games in Sochi due to injury, said people overseas were perplexed at the way the U.S. had changed.

"You cannot pick up a newspaper or turn on the TV in Europe without noticing how people are questioning our direction," she said.

"It seems to me that we must lead with understanding and strive for unity in our relationships throughout the world."

 

 Lindsey Vonn of the United States during interview in the finish area after her run during training for the women's downhill in the 2017 FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup at Lake Louise Ski Resort in Lake Louise, Alberta, November 30, 2017. Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports/File Photo

The reaction to her comments had also illustrated how divided the country was, she said.

"We need to find a way to put aside our differences and find common ground in communicating," Vonn added.

"Is it wrong to hope for a better world? All of this is much bigger than skiing and the Olympics.

"I am going to take the next two months to focus on what I can do and right now that is competing for my country. In doing that, I will be hoping that we Americans can still be that 'shining city on a hill.'"

(Reporting by Rory Carroll; Editing by Greg Stutchbury)

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