Lindsey Vonn’s big crash is the moment millennial nostalgia hit its limit—and symbolizes a broader reality of moving goalposts

Lindsey Vonn’s latest Olympic run was supposed to be a final, defiant chapter in a career built on risk, pain, and comeback stories. Instead, her downhill crash in Milan‑Cortina has become a reminder that millennial nostalgia can sell a story, but reality can pan out differently.

On Sunday, the 41‑year‑old rocketed out of the start gate for what was billed as her last Olympic downhill, skiing on a torn ACL in her left knee and a rebuilt right knee. Seconds later, she clipped a gate in midair...