Former downhill skiing champ and 1984 gold medalist Bill Johnson has died. He was 55.
The Associated Press reported that a spokesperson for the U.S. Alpine team said that Johnson died at an assisted living facility in Oregon from an illness brought on by multiple strokes.
Johnson was the first American to win an Olympic downhill title at the Sarajevo Olympics in 1984. He attempted a comeback when he was 40 years old for the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics, but suffered a traumatic brain injury in a downhill run and had to relearn how to walk and eat again.
Many Olympic athletes reacted after hearing the news of his death.
"Bill was an unbelievable fighter since his injury. He went through a lot. It's sad," Olympic super-G silver medalist Andrew Weibrecht said Friday. "He was the guy that really jump-started American downhill racing. Nothing had really happened much up until `84 when Bill came and had that fantastic run in Sarajevo and that same year he won Wengen."
Famed downhill skier Lindsey Vonn called Johnson a trailblazer in her sport and expressed her condolences to his family.
"It's really sad," she said. "He's had a rough couple of years and it's been sad to watch him deteriorate like that. But you know when you're in a state like that I think it's a blessing sometimes. He was an incredible legend in our sport so I just hope he rests in peace and my condolences to his family.
"He was definitely a pioneer -- first American to win an Olympic downhill gold medal. So for sure, an inspiration and for Americans definitely a legend in the sport."
More athletes expressed their sadness via social media as well.