Titled Slovak alpine skier Petra Vlhova will compete at the 2026 Olympic Games. The athlete's name has appeared on the list of the Slovak Olympic Committee.
Vlchova has not competed in competitions for two years after tearing ligaments in her right knee in January 2024. This happened during the giant slalom competition at the home stage of the World Cup in Jasna.
In January, the skier said that the hospital would prepare her for the competition “at full intensity.” Vlhova is now on the list of 52 athletes who will represent Slovakia at the 2026 Winter Games.
The reigning Olympic slalom champion has been training in the Czech Republic on a course designated for the slalom and giant slalom World Cup. Vlhova called her preparation “great” but will not compete.
“I decided to fight for the chance to compete. It might sound a little crazy. I will do everything I can every day to get a chance to be part of the Slovak Olympic team,” ESPN quoted Vlhova as saying on the eve of the alpine skier's selection.
Vlhova became the first Slovak skier to win the women's World Cup title in 2021. The alpine skier also won gold in the slalom at the 2022 Winter Games in Beijing, Slovakia's first Olympic medal in alpine skiing.