Activin Magazine

Former Disney star shares positive cancer screening after James Van Der Beek’s death encourages check up

Christy Carlson Romano revealed that she may have 'stageable cancer' in a tearful new video. The former child actor, who rose to fame on Disney shows such as Even Stevens and Kim Possible, and Vulnerable podcast host shared the news on Instagram.

Romano explained that she and her husband, Brendan Rooney, had undergone preventative cancer screenings due to both her parents being diagnosed with the disease. "The other day I took this cancer screening," she explained, before tearfully revealing that while her husband's results had come back negative, hers hadn't.

"I got the results back a little bit before filming down in Florida [last December]," she said, pausing for a moment, before adding: "Mine did not come back negative. "So basically what that means is, I may have stageable cancer."

Christy Carlson Romano revealed she may have stageable cancer in a devastating new video (Andrew Toth/Getty Images)

The 42-year-old, who is a resident of Austin, Texas, went on to explain that she'd been in contact with Dawson's Creek star James Van Der Beek prior to his death from cancer. It was announced that Van Der Beek had passed away at the age of 48 after being diagnosed with bowel cancer in August 2023.

Romano went on to reveal that Van Der Beek's diagnosis was part of what inspired her to undergo testing, adding: "I was able to meet James Van Der Beek a bunch. His family is amazing, he was a pillar of our community in Texas. "They were always raising money for the most amazing charities and... he's not with us any more, which is why I got this test."

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A post shared by Christy Carlson Romano (@thechristycarlsonromano)

The mother-of-two went on to reveal that she is now waiting to undergo further testing, which includes a positron emission tomography (PET) scan later this week, and was trying to focus on other projects, such as filming and working on a memoir, in the meantime.

Romano acknowledged that her post may come off as 'overreacting' but stressed that, as a parent, she was concerned for her future. "I'm sure people think I'm overreacting but I'm not because cancer's pretty f***ing serious and I have two little girls," she said. "Right now the news is that something is going on.

I’m nervous and a bit scared (heck who wouldn’t be!)," Romano added in the caption. "I debated whether or not I was going to post this because I was afraid I’d come off “cringe.” But I decided it was my duty to share, so that people get out there and get screenings. Let’s keep the good vibes going and I will keep you all posted as I get more information."

She revealed part of her reasoning for undergoing testing was Dawson's Creek actor James Van Der Beek's diagnosis (JC Olivera/GA/The Hollywood Reporter via Getty Images)

Romano has since received an outpouring of love from friends, family and followers, with several people praising her for being open with the news. "Praying for you. Stay encouraged that modern medicine got you a possible early diagnosis.

Sending so much love," wrote one follower, while a second penned: "My thoughts and prayers are with you! You are going to beat this no matter what! You got this!" "You got this my beautiful wife. We will figure this out and destroy any problem that comes your way," added Romano's husband, Brendan Rooney. "I love you beyond words."

If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact Macmillan’s Cancer Support Line on 0808 808 00 00, 8am–8pm seven days a week.

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You probably won’t even realise who Timothée Chalamet’s famous uncle is

Timothée Chalamet is arguably one of the biggest names in Hollywood at the moment. The 30-year-old Marty Supreme actor has been sweeping up accolades left, right and centre this awards season and is a fan-favourite to bag an Oscar next month.

Many of Chalamet's loyal fans know all about his blockbuster-filled filmography, which features Call Me by Your Name, Dune and A Complete Unknown, just to name a handful.

However, it would appear that not as many know that he actually has a pretty famous uncle, filmmaker Rodman Flender, who made his production debut with The Unborn back in 1991, while he’s also directed feature films including Leprechaun 2 (1994) and Idle Hands (1999).

Flender, 63, has also worked on some of the biggest TV shows, with directing credits on episodes of The Office, Ugly Betty, and Gilmore Girls. After catching light of the Hollywood family connection, fans rushed to social media to share their reactions with one writing: "Amazing actor!" "Oyyyyy. Flenderrrrr," chirped another as a third chimed in: "And look, he still earned his stripes."

People are only just realising that Timothée Chalamet has a famous Hollywood uncle (Daniele Venturelli / Contributor / via Getty)

Flender is the brother of Nicole Flender, AKA Chalamet’s mum, who is actually also an actress, best known for starring in 1992's In the Heat of Passion. It's clear stardom runs in the family as Chalamet has a famous older sister, Pauline, who is also in the 'biz.

The 34-year-old actress made her feature film debut in Judd Apatow's comedy starring Pete Davidson, Maude Apatow and Bel Powley, The King of Staten Island. From 2021 to 2025, she also starred in the HBO Max comedy series The Sex Lives of College Girls.

She's also in the upcoming The Devil Wears Prada 2, a sequel to the hit 2006 comedy-drama, which will see Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt and the iconic Meryl Streep reunite once again a whole 20 years later. The highly-anticipated flick is set to hit cinemas later this year (1 May).

Chalamet is the nephew of filmmaker Rodman Flender (Paul Archuleta / Contributor / via Getty)

Chalamet bagged Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy at the Golden Globe Awards and top honours at the Critics' Choice Awards for Josh Safdie's A24 sports drama, Marty Supreme. As we say, he also secured a 2026 Oscar nomination, becoming one of the youngest actors with three Best Actor nominations.

Joining him in the prestigious category are Leonardo DiCaprio for One Battle After Another, Ethan Hawke for Blue Moon, Michael B Jordan for Sinners and Wagner Moura for The Secret Agent.

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James Van Der Beek shared one colorectal cancer symptom that led to diagnosis before death

The world is still in shock over the tragic death of Dawson's Creek star James Van Der Beek, aged just 48. It was announced yesterday (11 February) that the actor has passed away 'peacefully' following a two-and-a-half-year battle with colorectal cancer.

The star was diagnosed in late 2023 following a screening which revealed the existence of a tumour that developed into stage three cancer. An official statement penned by his family and shared to Instagram, read: "Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning.

He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace. "There is much to share regarding his wishes, love for humanity, and the sacredness of time. Those days will come. For now we ask for peaceful privacy as we grieve our loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend."

During his cancer battle, Van Der Beek was open about his journey and the symptoms he experienced in order to raise awareness of the disease.

James Van Der Beek has died following a battle with colorectal cancer (Instagram/@vanderjames)

In November 2024, he revealed the one symptom that prompted him to go to the doctors and get checked out. Van Der Beek explained to PEOPLE Magazine that the first red flag was a change in bowel habits, however, at first he simply put this down to drinking a lot of coffee. He told the publication: “I thought maybe I needed to stop coffee.

Or maybe not put cream in the coffee. But when I cut that out and it didn’t improve, I thought, ‘All right, I better get this checked out.’” After his colonoscopy he wasn’t worried, and the cancer news came as a shock as he had no family history of the disease, was in 'great shape' and 'eating healthy'.

"I felt really good coming out of anesthesia, that I’d finally done it,” he said, “Then the gastroenterologist said – in his most pleasant bedside manner – that it was cancer. I think I went into shock." Van Der Beek admitted: "I’d always associated cancer with age and with unhealthy, sedentary lifestyles.

But I was in amazing cardiovascular shape. I tried to eat healthy – or as far as I knew it at the time." In the UK, about 44,100 people get cancer in the colon or rectum each year, as well as about 150,000 Americans diagnosed per year. Many people think of cancer as a disease of old age, but recent trends and research indicate this is no longer the case. In fact, colorectal cancer is now the number one cause of cancer-related death in the US for men and women under 50 years of age.

The father-of-six initially thought his change in bowel habits was down to drinking coffee (Instagram/@vanderjames)

It's important to be aware of the symptoms as bowel cancer can be treatable and curable, especially if diagnosed early. Bowel Cancer UK outline that nearly everyone survives bowel cancer if diagnosed at the earliest stage.

Symptoms of bowel cancer

Changes in your poo, such as having softer poo, diarrhoea or constipation that is not usual for you

Needing to poo more or less often than usual for you

Blood in your poo, which may look red or black

Bleeding from your bottom

Often feeling like you need to poo, even if you've just been to the toilet

Tummy pain

A lump in your tummy

Bloating

Losing weight without trying

Feeling very tired or short of breath – these are signs of anaemia, which can be caused by bowel cancer

Featured Image Credit: Instagram/@vanderjames

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British woman shot dead by dad after 'row about supporting Trump'

A British woman was shot dead by her father following an argument about Donald Trump, an inquest has heard.

Lucy Harrison, 23, from Warrington, Cheshire, was staying with her father, Kris Harrison, and his family at their home in Prosper, Texas, in January last year. She was joined by her boyfriend, Sam Littler, who made the overseas trip to America with her for a holiday.

At the inquest into her death, Littler told Cheshire Coroner's Court that Lucy was passionately anti-guns and would get upset with her dad when he talked about owning one. On January 10, the day the British couple were due to fly home, Littler explained there was a 'big' argument between Lucy and her dad about Trump and politics, as he was about to be inaugurated as president.

He told the court: "Kris and Lucy ended up having quite a big argument which led to Lucy running upstairs and being upset."

Lucy's death reportedly happened after she and her dad argued about Donald Trump (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

January 10 was the day Trump was sentenced to 'unconditional discharge', meaning he was spared jail time and a fine, after he was previously convicted on 34 counts relating to hush money paid to an adult-film star during the 2016 presidential election. Littler added that Lucy had asked her father how he would feel if she was sexually assaulted.

He responded that he had two other daughters who lived with him, so it wouldn't upset him that much, according to Littler. Then, about 30 minutes before they were due to leave for the airport, the inquest heard that Harrison took his daughter by the hand and led her into his ground-floor bedroom.

Roughly 15 minutes later, Littler said he heard a loud bang and then heard Lucy's dad screaming for his wife Heather. Littler recalled: "I remember running into the room and Lucy was lying on the floor near the entrance to the bathroom and Kris was just screaming, just sort of nonsense." Lucy, who worked for the fashion brand Boohoo, was described by her mum Jane Coates as a 'real force of life'.

She said: "She cared. She was passionate about things. She loved to have debates about things that meant a lot to her." Mr Harrison did not attend the hearing but issued a statement via his solicitors, where he claimed that he and Lucy had been watching a news segment on gun crime on TV when he told her he had one and asked her if she wanted to see it.

She allegedly said yes and so they went into the bedroom, where he wanted to show her his Glock 9mm semi-automatic handgun that he kept in his bedside cabinet.

Lucy's mum described her as a 'real force of life' (Cheshire Police)

Mr Harrison claimed he didn't remember whether his finger was on the trigger or not when he took the gun out of the case. He said: "As I lifted the gun to show her, I suddenly heard a loud bang. I did not understand what had happened. Lucy immediately fell."

Additionally, he talked about having problems with alcohol in the past and said he ‘briefly lapsed’ on the day of Lucy's death due to his emotions about her leaving, admitting he drank 500ml of white wine within two to three hours earlier that day.

In a statement issued by his solicitors, Mr Harrison said: "I fully accept the consequences of my actions, and there isn't a day I don't feel the weight of that loss - a weight I will carry for the rest of my life, and I know that nothing I say can ease the heartbreak this tragedy has caused.

"I cannot undo what happened, but I can honour Lucy by being the best father I can be to her sisters and by carrying her memory forward in everything we do. "I am deeply sorry for the pain others feel from this tragedy.

Lucy's spirit - her warmth, her humour, her kindness - will live on in all of us who loved her." The inquest heard that a grand jury in the US decided there was insufficient evidence to charge anyone in connection with Lucy's death.

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Winter Olympics investigating as athlete 'immediately' breaks gold medal

While some athletes may have been left disappointed with getting no medal at all, others have dealt with the blow that their coveted awards are broken.

A number of medallists at this year’s Winter games have reported problems, with one American star pretty much ‘immediately’ breaking theirs. Women’s downhill champion Breezy Johnson was celebrating her gold medal win yesterday (8 February) when it was ripped from its ribbon.

And now the Winter Olympic Games bosses are investigating. Johnson’s momentous first Olympic gold medal came after her teammate, Lindsey Vonn, suffered a serious crash out on the slope.

The 30-year-old had a great run of 1:36:10 and was so buzzing with her win she was ‘jumping up and down in excitement’. But she said this meant the ‘heavy’ medal ‘just fell off’.

Johnson held up the parts of her medal during a press conference. (Julian Finney/Getty Images)

“So there’s the medal and there’s the ribbon, and here’s the little piece that is supposed to go in the ribbon, to hold it in the medal,” Johnson showed reporters following the win. “And yeah, it came apart. I'm sure somebody will fix it.

It's not crazy broken, but it’s a little broken.” Team USA joked that her Olympic gold medal ‘did not pass the jump test’. Similarly, a video shared by Germany’s DSV Biathlon on Instagram saw athlete Justus Strelow dancing along with his teammates when he realised his bronze medal had fallen off the ribbon and hit the floor.

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A post shared by DSV Biathlon (@dsv_biathlon)

“Are they not meant to be celebrated?” the team wrote, as the Olympian can be seen trying to piece it back together. And it was the same case for US figure skater Alysa Liu after the team picked up the event gold medal yesterday.

She took to Instagram earlier today to say: “My medal don’t need the ribbon,” as she held up the separate parts.

The US figure skater also shared her broken medal. (Instagram/alysaxliu)

The chief games operations officer for the Milan Cortina organising committee, Andrea Francisi, says a solution is being worked on as these broken medals quickly go viral. "We are aware of the situation; we have seen the images.

Obviously, we are trying to understand in detail if there is a problem," he said today. "But obviously we are paying maximum attention to this matter, as the medal is the dream of the athletes, so we want that obviously in the moment they are given it that everything is absolutely perfect, because we really consider it to be the most important moment. So we are working on it."

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Jake Paul bursts into tears as fiancée wins gold at Winter Olympics

Securing a medal for the Netherlands, speed skater Jutta Leerdam set a new Olympic record as she won gold while her fiancé Jake Paul watched on this evening (9 February).

And as she clocked an incredible 1:12.31 in the 1,000 metres, Paul was pictured bursting into tears of pride. The 27-year-old Dutch athlete had picked up silver in the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games with that year’s winner, Takagi Miho, picking up bronze today with 1:13.95.

Leerdam’s teammate Femke Kok took silver with 1:12.59. Her fellow Dutch speed skater had set the Olympic record with that time, adding the extra challenge for Leerdam afterwards.

While her YouTuber-turned-boxer partner watched on with a Dutch scarf, she was also seen wiping away the tears after crossing the finish line. Leerdam headed over to the sideboards, where she blew a kiss and made a heart shape with her hands to Paul.

The speed skating star took home gold (Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

Jake Paul was in tears as he celebrated Jutta Leerdam's win (Maja Hitij/Getty Images)

The pair went Instagram official back in April 2023, with the social media star having slid into her DMs to invite the world champion onto his podcast. “I never, ever expected to date him, like never,” Leerdam revealed on the Countdown: Paul vs. Tyson documentary. “Of course, I didn’t know a lot about him.

I could only scroll on his Instagram and form an opinion like the whole world does. But he is the complete opposite.” Paul proposed to the athlete in March of last year while they were on a trip to St Lucia.

They announced the news in a joint Instagram post as they said they ‘can’t wait to spend forever together’. With her own huge following on social media, Leerdam was a bit of a favourite for today’s 1,000 metres event.

Having made her Olympic debut back in Beijing, during this pre-Olympic season, she took home the European title and multiple World Cup medals.

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A post shared by Jake Paul (@jakepaul)

Paul has since shared videos on Instagram of himself in tears at the event, writing: “I’M SO PROUD OF YOU,” and “MY BABY JUST SET THE OLYMPIC WORLD RECORD.” In another post, picking up his fiancée, he wrote: “We just witnessed one of the most important sporting moments ever.

The doc will tell. Words can’t describe how proud of you I am.” He’d been showing plenty of support for Leerdam ahead of the event too, writing: “Today is your day baby. You’ve worked your whole life for this. We all love and support you so much, go get em champ.”

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Footage from Trump's Super Bowl party reveals what he was actually watching during half time show

A video from Donald Trump's Super Bowl party has left many scratching their heads.

The US president was extremely outspoken in his thoughts on Bad Bunny headlining the Super Bowl half-time show yesterday (8 February), becoming the first artist to carry out an all-Spanish performance at the annual NFL championship game.

Trump admitted that the game was 'too far' for him to attend, but made sure to state of Super Bowl acts Green Day and Bad Bunny.: “I’m anti-them... I think it’s a terrible choice. "All it does is sow hatred. Terrible."

Regardless, fans were hugely entertained by both artists, with the latter bringing out a number of celebrities such as Lady Gaga, Pedro Pascal and even Jessica Alba, among others. Fans of Turning Point USA, an American nonprofit organisation founded by the late Charlie Kirk, were then given an alternative show called the 'All American' option.

Bad Bunny said that the US is nothing without its immigrants (Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)

They put on a show headlined by Kid Rock alongside Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice, and Gabby Barrett - despite some technical difficulties though, American Football fans looking for an alternative could tune in to Turning Point's half-time show on YouTube.

You'd assume then that Trump, who has openly supporting Turning Point and the Kirk family, would change the channel to support the All-American show, but a viral clip suggests otherwise.

Posted to X, the video shows Trump hosting a Super Bowl party at one of his golf clubs, but the alternative half-time show wasn't on the big screens set up across the venue. Instead, behind Trump, Bad Bunny can be seen performing on the Levi's Stadium pitch. You can view the footage here:

Released footage from inside Trump’s golf club Super Bowl party reveals the Bad Bunny half time show played on the big screens rather than the Far Right Turning Point USA alternative show.

So much for @TPUSA Half Time Meme Show. pic.twitter.com/g1cMO4YWor
— Bricktop_NAFO (@Bricktop_NAFO) February 9, 2026

The Grammy winner could be seen on the mic, with the video then cutting to a clearer angle of one of the screens. In the background, a Bad Bunny song was added to further highlight the irony of the situation after Trump's scathing words towards the performances.

Trump even took to Truth Social to criticise Bad Bunny and co for an 'absolutely terrible' viewing. So maybe he did admit to tuning in after all. He wrote: "The Super Bowl Halftime Show is absolutely terrible, one of the worst, EVER! It makes no sense, is an affront to the Greatness of America, and doesn’t represent our standards of Success, Creativity, or Excellence.

"Nobody understands a word this guy is saying, and the dancing is disgusting, especially for young children that are watching from throughout the U.S.A., and all over the World."

Donald Trump might secretly have been enjoying Bad Bunny's electric performance, despite his public stance against him (X)

Trump said that the performance was a 'slap in the face' to the US, bragging about the nation having 'the Best Stock Market and 401(k)s in History'. The 79-year-old added that there was 'nothing inspirational' about the performance, claiming 'Fake News Media' will sing its praises, before getting a dig in at the NFL for its 'ridiculous new Kickoff Rule'.

Bad Bunny performed with the likes of Lady Gaga, Karol G, Cardi B, and even Ricky Martin for millions to see. But the headline act took the opportunity to get some political messages in, and even showed off a billboard message which read: "The only thing more powerful than hate is love."

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Super Bowl halftime show branded 'worst of this century' but some viewers have hit back

As the Super Bowl LX halftime show got underway with Bad Bunny leading the highly anticipated event, some fans tuning in couldn’t help but feel out of their depth as they realized they couldn’t actually understand the performance.

Puerto Rican native Bad Bunny conducted his entire set in his native tongue Spanish, which left a proportion of Americans - and the wider global audience - struggling to follow along as they didn’t speak the language.

Taking to social media to express their frustrations, one fan even branded it the 'worst Super Bowl this century'. Another user also echoed the sentiment, commenting: "Why as Americans are we watching the Super Bowl half time show in Spanish? With English being our national language, I could not understand a word. Not prejudiced, just don’t understand."

Bad Bunny was joined by Ricky Martin and Lady Gaga for his Super Bowl performance (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

A third user also echoed the same message, as they added: "Ok, I do think it was kind of weird that nearly the entire halftime show of the Super Bowl was in Spanish.… and I say that as someone who appreciates Latin culture."

Someone else penned: "Worst halftime show EVER!!" Bad Bunny’s performance entirely in Spanish will come as no grand shock to fans of the Grammy award-winning singer, as he has previously stated repeatedly that he doesn’t see the value in changing who he is to appeal to a mass audience.

He told Vanity Fair in 2023 that he would ‘never’ sing in English ‘just because someone says I need to do it to reach a certain audience’. "I think in Spanish, I feel in Spanish, I eat in Spanish, I sing in Spanish," he told the outlet.

The rapper has released seven studio albums, without a single full song in English. Not everyone was opposed to Bad Bunny's performance, however, with others praising the singer for his unique take on the iconic US sporting event.

Bad Bunny divided viewers as he stuck to his native Spanish for his entire set (Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)

"I am an old white guy who doesn’t speak a word of Spanish and I enjoyed the hell out of Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show," remarked one person. A second also agreed, adding: "The Bad Bunny Halftime show during the Super Bowl was done so well.

I don’t speak Spanish but he’s clearly very talented. The production was amazing. He seized his opportunity and crushed it. Congrats to him and the rest of the artists and performers." Another viewer simply commented: "Thank you NFL! We needed that!"

Lo único más poderoso que el odio, es el amor.

The Only Thing More Powerful Than Hate is Love. @sanbenito #AppleMusicHalftime pic.twitter.com/0VDQlSjet9
— NFL (@NFL) February 9, 2026

Approximately 42 to 59 million people speak Spanish in the United States, making it the second-largest Spanish-speaking country in the world after Mexico. This population includes roughly 41 to 42 million native speakers, along with 12 to 17 million bilingual or second-language speakers.

Prior to his performance, during an appearance on Saturday Night Live last year, Bad Bunny even jokingly encouraged his fans to learn Spanish ahead of his Super Bowl headliner, although he did later add that 'dancing' would also be a suitable alternative for those who hadn't quite brushed up on their language skills in time.

How much do artists get paid for the Super Bowl halftime show?

While you’d think that performing on one of the biggest stages in the world would earn you the big bucks, surprisingly, artists do not receive a direct paycheck for the Super Bowl halftime show. “We do not pay the artists,” NFL spokesperson Joanna Hunter told Forbes in 2016.

"We cover expenses and production costs.” Meanwhile, Brian McCarthy, the NFL's vice president of communications, confirmed that Super Bowl performers do get a ‘union scale’ - a minimum wage guaranteed by a union contract. This is largely because the halftime show is not just a performance, it’s a money can’t buy opportunity for promotion and exposure.

After Rihanna took to the Super Bowl stage in 2023, her Spotify streams in the US soared by more than 640 percent, while song sales and searches for her Fenty Beauty brand also increased. Jennifer Lopez reportedly gained over two million new followers across her social media after she headlined the halftime show with Shakira in 2020.

Following The Weeknd's 2021 Super Bowl performance, demand for his concert tickets skyrocketed. His After Hours Til Dawn tour has since become the highest-grossing tour by a male solo artist in history after raking in $1 billion.

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Hospital Issues New Update on Lindsey Vonn as Team USA Chief Speaks Out

Lindsey Vonn suffered a fractured left leg as a result of her horror crash in the women's downhill final at the Winter Olympics, the hospital treating her have stated.

Vonn crashed out of the women's downhill event in Cortina after her right ski pole clipped an outside gate shortly before the first timing point. The contact forced the 2010 Olympic champion off balance, and resulted in her hitting the ground hard before tumbling down the course.

She was subsequently airlifted to hospital via medical helicopter after receiving treatment on-site. Vonn was attempting to become the oldest skier, man or woman, to win an Olympic medal in alpine skiing.

The 41-year-old had already made the remarkable decision to compete in the downhill final just nine days after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in her left knee during a crash at a World Cup event.

Vonn completed two training runs before competing in the women's downhill final (Image: Getty)

After her crash on Sunday, the US Ski and Snowboard Team issued a statement confirming that Vonn was in a 'stable condition' and undergoing treatment.

She was transported to the Ca' Foncello Hospital in Cortina, with Sky Sports reporter Geraint Thomas claiming there were initial concerns that she may have to be airlifted to a bigger facility near the city of Verona.

The hospital have now released a statement confirming that Vonn has undergone an 'orthopaedic operation' to a stabilise a left leg fracture. They add that she is being treated by a 'multidisciplinary team'.

Vonn came out of retirement after six years in 2024 (Image: Getty)

Chief of sport for US Ski and Snowboard, Anouk Patty, has stated that Vonn will be 'OK' but anticipates a lengthy recovery process for the skiing legend. "She'll be OK, but it's going to be a bit of a process," Patty told reporters.

"This sport's brutal and people need to remember when they're watching, these athletes are throwing themselves down a mountain and going really, really fast." Vonn's US team-mate, Breezy Johnson, won gold in the women's downhill after the event was paused for around 20 minutes following the crash.

She told reporters that, according to her coach, Vonn had been 'cheering for me' from the medical helicopter. "Her coach said she was cheering for me in the helicopter, so I hope for the best for her," Johnson said (via People).

"I hope that it's not too bad. My heart aches for her. It's such a brutal sport sometimes. "It can hurt you so badly but you keep coming back for more."

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Team USA Issue Statement on Lindsey Vonn's Condition After Horror Crash

An official update has been issued on the condition of Lindsey Vonn after the US skiing legend crashed out of the women's downhill final at the Winter Olympics.

Vonn crashed out of the women's downhill final in Cortina shortly before the first timing line. The 2010 Olympic champion clipped one of the gates with her right ski pole, which caused her to twist off balance and hit the ground at high speed, landing on the back of her skis.

Vonn tumbled down the course and appeared to hit her head before she came to a halt. Medical staff immediately attended to the 41-year-old, before she was airlifted away from the course via medical helicopter.

Vonn was airlifted to a medical facility (Image: Getty)

Vonn had been looking to become the oldest skier, man or woman, to win an Olympic medal in alpine skiing. Her dreams were dealt a significant blow just nine days before the downhill final, when she tore the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in her left knee after crashing in a World Cup event in Crans-Montana.

But despite the severity of the injury, Vonn declared that she would compete at the Olympics, and completed two training runs to allow her to ski in the final. The final itself ended in heartbreak for the US sporting legend, but the violent nature of the crash - coupled with her already torn ACL - meant attention immediately turned towards Vonn's condition.

After several hours of speculation, the US Ski and Snowboard Team have issued a statement to confirm that Vonn is in a 'stable condition' in hospital.

Vonn competed at the Winter Olympics with a torn ACL (Image: Getty)

"Lindsey Vonn sustained an injury, but is in stable condition and in good hands with a team of American and Italian physicians," the statement reads. Speaking on NBC, Vonn's sister Karin Kildow gave an update on the 41-year-old shortly after she was airlifted away from the course, admitting that her family had been given little information at that stage.

"It was scary because when you start to see the stretchers being put out, it's not a good sign but, we were just saying, she just dared greatly and she put it all out there, so it's really hard to see. But we just really hope she's okay.

"I don't really know what happens from her, obviously she was airlifted out, so I think we'll probably just wait. "She does have all of her surgeons and her PT staff here and her doctors, so I'm sure they'll give us a report, and we'll meet her at whatever hospital she's at.

"I think she's being evaluated right now, is the only thing we've heard." Sky Sports News reporter Geraint Thomas subsequently reported that Vonn had been transported to a facility in Cortina. "From what I'm hearing, via colleagues at Team USA, Lindsey Vonn is in Cortina, and is being treated there," Thomas said. "She is in hospital, being tended to by the medical teams there."

🗣️ An update on American alpine ski racer Lindsey Vonn, after she crashed in the Winter Olympic women's downhill earlier today. pic.twitter.com/ofOKi6zO5Q
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) February 8, 2026

Thomas claims there were concerns that Vonn would have to be airlifted to a bigger facility near Verona. "We don't want to read too much into it, but it is good news that she is still being treated in Cortina, rather than being airlifted to a bigger hospital further down the valley to a city like Verona, which is probably the closest city to Cortina," Thomas added.

"There were initial fears that it was really, really, really serious. "But the fact that we haven't had a terrible amount of news coming out of Team USA, and the fact that her team-mate Breezy Johnson, who took the gold medal, seemed to be a bit more relaxed in her press conference ... she's a close colleague and friend of Lindsey Vonn. Maybe at the moment, things are a bit better than they were a couple of hours ago."

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US Olympic Athlete Pulls Off ‘Forbidden’ Move That’s Been Banned Since 1977

Winter Olympics history was made at the Milan-Cortina Games on Saturday (February 7) as an athlete pulled out a move that had not been legally completed in 50 years.

Despite the Games technically getting underway on Wednesday (February 4), following Friday’s (February 6) opening ceremony, the event is now well and truly in full flow with host nation Italy currently joint leading the medal table alongside Japan and Norway.

As ever, the Olympics provides opportunity for little-known competitors to make a name for themselves, and it’s fair to say American figure skater Ilia Malinin certainly did that. Twenty-one-year-old Malinin landed the first backflip at a Winter Games since 1998 at the Milano Ice Skating Arena on Saturday during the men’s short program team event, which earned him a score of 98.00.

A backflip was last landed by French skater Surya Bonaly at the Nagano Games 28 years ago – although the move was classed as being illegal at the time and she was subsequently penalised. And you’d have to go back 50 years to 1976 for the last time a legal back flip was landed at a Winter Games.

American Terry Kubicka performed the flip at the Innsbruck Games before it was banned by the International Skating Union (ISU) the following year, being deemed too dangerous. ISU legalised the backflip in 2024.

"It was fun," Malinin said after his performance. "I mean, come on, the audience just roared, and they were just out of control. Really, that just helped me feel the gratitude of the Olympic stage." He added: "I try to enjoy every single moment and be grateful for everything, because there are a lot of unexpected things that can happen in life. I'm taking everything to heart."

Despite impressing fans, Malinin could only finish second behind Japan's Yuma Kagiyama on Saturday.

The FIRST legal backflip on Olympic ice since 1976 😮

Ilia Malinin that is special 👏 pic.twitter.com/ZJ7RQTjdFx
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) February 8, 2026

Fans were quick to offer their thoughts on the stunning move on social media. One said: "Ilia Malinin is doing the free skate today and I fear I won’t be able to think about anything else until then." Another added: "He’s as cold as the ice he skates on."

A third commented: "Surya did it and landed on one foot." As a fourth claimed: "Bloke is surely making it up as he goes along."

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Trump responds after JD Vance is booed at Olympic opening ceremony

Donald Trump has shared his thoughts on JD Vance receiving a frosty reception at the opening ceremony for the 2026 Winter Olympics.

The vice president, 41, didn't get the warmest of welcomes from sports fans who packed out the San Siro Stadium in Milan, Italy, on Friday (6 February). Although athletes from the US were greeted with cheers as they walked out, Vance was booed when cameras cut to show him and his wife, Usha, proudly waving their country's flag.

There were boos, jeers and a bit of applause from the crowd - but Americans watching from home didn't get to see this, as it was reportedly cut from NBC’s broadcast. The four athletes representing Israel at the Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina also received a similar reception when they emerged during the opening ceremony.

Vance and his lawyer wife were booed by the crowd at the Winter Olympics opening ceremony (Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) president, Kirsty Coventry, had urged spectators at the opening ceremony to 'be respectful' earlier this week. But this warning apparently fell on deaf ears, given the reaction that Vance and Israel's athletes received.

Mark Adams, a spokesperson for the IOC, has since said of the jeers towards Vance: "In terms of the athletes and the teams, whatever background, whatever country they're from, I don't think we like to see booing, we want to see sportsperson-like behaviour from everyone.

It's important that we support our athletes." The US president has also chimed in on the debate surrounding the crowd's reaction to Vance, saying he was 'surprised' that the politician was met with jeers.

Trump was 'surprised' that his VP got such a frosty reception (Samuel Corum/Getty Images)

While speaking to reporters onboard Air Force One on Friday, Trump said: "It’s surprising because people like him. Well, I mean, he is in a foreign country, in all fairness. But he doesn’t get booed in this country.” Which isn't exactly true...as Vance has been booed on American soil plenty of times before.

He was booed while making a speech at the International Association of Fire Fighters in August 2024, as well as in March last year when he rocked up to a gig at the Kennedy Center around 25 minutes late.

Vance's wife, Usha, shared a snap of the pair attending the opening ceremony on Instagram alongside the caption: "What a thrilling start to the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan! Go Team USA - we’re rooting for you!" Comically, the comment section of the post was filled with wisecracks from social media users about her and her husband being booed.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Second Lady Usha Vance (@slotus)

One read: "Could you repeat that? I couldn’t hear over the boos." Another laughed: "The crowd knew the assignment." And a third added: "Didn’t y'all get booed?"

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3 Doors Down lead singer Brad Arnold dies aged 47 as band and family release statement

Brad Arnold, the lead singer of 3 Doors Down, has died aged 47.

The founding member of the rock band was surrounded by his loved ones, including wife Jennifer when he died. The band said in a statement released on Saturday: "Brad helped redefine mainstream rock music, blending post-grunge accessibility with emotionally direct songwriting and lyrical themes that resonated with everyday listeners.

"His music reverberated far beyond the stage, creating moments of connection, joy, faith, and shared experiences that will live on long after the stages he performed on." The statement continued: "Those closest to him will remember not only his talent, but his warmth, humility, faith, and deep love for his family and friends."

A statement posted on 3 Doors Down's social media stated Arnold died 'peacefully' in his sleep after a 'courageous battle with cancer'.

Brad Arnold has died aged 47 (Scott Legato/Getty Images)

The statement continued: "He was a devoted husband to Jennifer, and his kindness, humor, and generosity touched everyone fortunate enough to know him. Those closest to him will remember not only his talent, but his warmth, humility, faith, and deep love for his family and friends.

"The family is deeply grateful for the outpouring of love and support during this difficult time and kindly asks that their privacy be respected. "He will be deeply missed and forever remembered." The Kryptonite hitmaker shared in May last year he'd been diagnosed with kidney cancer in an emotional video posted to Instagram.

"I'd been sick a couple of weeks ago and went to the hospital and got checked out," he said at the time. "I actually got the diagnosis that I have a clear cell renal carcinoma that has metastasized into my lung... and that’s stage four, and that's not real good."

pic.twitter.com/6V48xpChfe
— 3 Doors Down (@3doorsdown) February 7, 2026

The devastating diagnosis lead to 3 Doors Down cancelling their upcoming gigs. Arnold concluded the video: “I'd love for you to lift me up in your prayers every chance you get," adding: "I think it’s time for me to go listen to ‘It’s Not My Time’ a little bit, right?" Fans of the band will know that's a reference to the classic track that's all about resilience.

Arnold founded 3 Doors Down alongside pals Todd Harrell on bass and lead guitarist Matt Roberts. The statement added: "As a founding member, vocalist, and original drummer of 3 Doors Down, Brad helped redefine mainstream rock music, blending post-grunge accessibility with emotionally direct songwriting and lyrical themes that resonated with everyday listeners."

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