ROME (Reuters) – Italy’s Sofia Goggia cannot be sure of attempting to defend her Olympic downhill gold in Beijing next week, as she continues her recovery from a knee injury.
The 29-year-old, who injured herself crashing in a World Cup race at Cortina d’Ampezzo on Jan. 23, had her first training session in China on Tuesday.
“The last two weeks were difficult. Just being here is already a big success, but I can’t guarantee anything,” Goggia told the Italian broadcaster Rai.
“My condition is what it is. I’ve still got a bit of time, but I can’t guarantee anything, not even taking part in the downhill.”
The women’s downhill race is scheduled for Feb. 15, but Goggia also hoped to feature in the super-G four days earlier.
She won the downhill at Pyeongchang in 2018 and has been the dominant force on the World Cup circuit this season.
(Reporting by Alasdair Mackenzie; Editing by Kevin Liffey)
