Olympic big air medalist Tess Ledeux has decided to withdraw from the upcoming Milano Cortina Winter Games due to ongoing recovery from a concussion. The French freestyle skier, who finished second to Eileen Gu at the Beijing Olympics in 2018, has not participated in any competitions since a crash during a World Cup event last March.
Ledeux, a former world champion, announced that she will be sitting out the entire season to prioritize her healing process. In a social media update on Thursday, she expressed the difficulty of making this decision, stating that hope had kept her going despite the challenges she faced.
Initially expecting a quick recovery after the incident, Ledeux later realized in October that symptoms such as fatigue, headaches, and dizziness persisted. Following consultations with various medical experts, she acknowledged the complex nature of her condition, emphasizing the importance of addressing both physical and mental aspects of her injury.
Despite exploring all possible avenues to make a return for her third Olympic appearance, Ledeux stressed the significance of prioritizing her well-being over competitive aspirations. Looking ahead, she expressed determination to overcome this setback and set her sights on participating in the 2030 Olympics in France.
