As the Winter Olympics began in Italy, and a high-profile athlete prepared for a race despite injury, several other significant news stories unfolded in the United States. President Trump addressed a social media post containing a racist depiction of the Obamas, while the White House later removed the video. Additionally, the co-host of the "Today" show, Savannah Guthrie, pleaded for her mother's safe return, offering to pay a ransom.
Team USA athletes at the Winter Olympics shared their thoughts on representing the United States amid the current political climate. According to CBS News, many athletes spoke in general terms, avoiding direct criticism. Freestyle skier Chris Lillis told journalists, "I love the USA, and I think I would never want to represent a different country in the Olympics. With that being said, you know, a lot of times athletes are hesitant to talk about political views and how we feel about things. I feel heartbroken about what's happened in the United States."
Meanwhile, Alpine ski great Lindsey Vonn prepared for her final Olympic race despite a severe knee injury. Vonn, 41, ruptured her left ACL during a World Cup race in Switzerland a week prior. Despite the injury, she vowed to compete in Sunday's downhill event. In a social media response to a doctor's post questioning her ability to compete, Vonn stated, "lol thanks doc. My ACL was fully functioning until last Friday. Just because it seems impossible to you doesn't mean it's not possible. And yes, my ACL is 100 ruptured. Not 80 or 50. It's 100 gone."
In the political arena, President Trump addressed a video posted to his social media account that included a racist depiction of Barack and Michelle Obama as apes. According to CBS News, Trump said he "didn't see" the offensive imagery, claiming he only viewed the beginning of the video, which focused on alleged voter fraud. The video was later removed from his account. A White House official said a staffer "erroneously made the post." The White House faced backlash from both Democrats and Republicans for the video, which was called "racist," "offensive," and "unacceptable."
In a separate development, "Today" show co-host Savannah Guthrie released a video pleading for the safe return of her mother, Nancy Guthrie, who authorities believe was abducted from her Tucson, Arizona, home last weekend. Guthrie, along with her siblings, Camron and Annie Guthrie, stated they were willing to pay for her mother's safe return. "We received your message and we understand," Guthrie said in the video. "We beg you now to return our mother to us so that we can celebrate with her. This is the only way we will have peace. This is very valuable to us and we will pay."
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