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Lindsey Vonn responds to bullies on social media: I'm not defeated

"I just take it for what it is. At some point you have to laugh and say this is just completely ridiculous.''
Lindsey Vonn of the United States starts looks on during the Alpine Skiing Women's Downhill training on day nine of the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games at Jeongseon Alpine Centre on February 18, 2018 in Pyeongchang-gun, South Korea.

Lindsey Vonn, the target of hateful comments on social media, said she has no plans to change her social media strategy and disengage.

“No, that’s what bullies want you to do,’’ Vonn said Monday at the 2018 Winter Olympics after her training run at the downhill course. “They want to defeat you. I’m not defeated. I stand by my values and I’m not going to back down.

“I may not be as vocal right now with my opinions, but that doesn’t mean they’ve won. I haven’t changed my mind.’’

Vonn, the American ski racing star, came under harsh attack on Twitter after her sixth-place finish in the Super-G Saturday, many of the comments referred to Vonn’s criticism of President Trump.

Before the Olympics, Vonn said she would not visit the White House if invited. In December she told CNN, “I want to represent our country well. I don't think that there are a lot of people currently in our government that do that.’’

On Monday, Vonn sighed while saying, “I always try to remember that it’s people talking behind a computer and they’re going to say anything. The most important thing is that I’m having a good time.

“I’m enjoying being at the Olympics. My family’s here. They love me, and of course there’s going to be people that hate me and hope I ski off a cliff and die. But that’s fine. I’m not going to do that.

“I just take it for what it is. At some point you have to laugh and say this is just completely ridiculous.’’

Vonn is scheduled to race in the women's downhill Wednesday and the women's combined Friday.

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