Lindsey Vonn breaks down in emotional, inspirational interview after final Olympic downhill

Lindsey Vonn lost gold, but won bronze, on Tuesday night in the women's downhill, the race she's owned for the last 17 years. It's both a tremendous disappointment and a triumph of will for an athlete who overcame injuries to become the oldest woman to ever win an alpine skiing medal.After fielding a question from NBC's Heather Cox about her takeaway from the race (she said she was thrilled with bronze but admitted she wished the medal had been a slightly different color), Vonn was asked how much she was inspired by the memory of her grandfather, who died last fall and whose initials Vonn raced with on her helmet (emphasis added):

 

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Vonn: It's been really hard for me not to get emotional for so many reasons, especially because of my grandfather. I wanted to win so much because of him. [Cries,] But I still think I made him proud. Our family never gives up and I never gave up. I kept working hard. I'm really proud of this medal and I know he is too.
Cox: I know your entirely family is so proud of you. You've said this is your last Olympic downhill race? What memory will stand out the most to you?
Vonn: I gave it my best shot. I tried so hard and I worked my butt off and I'm so proud to have competed with such amazing girls. My teammates have really supported me and we've helped each other. Most of us have been injured pretty severely, so I'm really happy and proud to be competing with them and to have their support. It's been fun. It's been a fun ride and I hope tomorrow I can maybe pull something out of the hat. But it's sad. This is my last downhill. I wish I could keep going. I have so much fun. I love what I do. My body just probably can't take another four years. I'm proud. I'm proud to have competed for my country. I'm proud to have given it my all. I'm proud to come away with a medal.
After the interview, Vonn reached into her pocket to grab a tissue. She looked off camera, presumably to her sisters and jokingly said of the tissues: "I have some from the other day, which is so pathetic!"
Not when you give your all it isn't.