The world of competitive sports can be tough on an athlete's body - but it can be even tougher on an athlete's marriage. Pasadena divorce lawyers have seen stars from every corner of the sports world wind up in divorce court. The grueling travel schedules, swarms of groupies and physical exhaustion of professional sports prove too much for many couples to handle. Olympic gold medalist skier Lindsey Vonn and husband Thomas Vonn are the latest sports couple headed for divorce.
Thomas Vonn, who also serves as Lindsey's chief advisor on and off the slopes, told the Associated Press last week that he has filed for divorce. He also noted that he will no longer have a professional relationship with Lindsey.
For her part, in a statement to the AP, Lindsey said, "This is an extremely difficult time in my personal life and I hope the media and my fans can respect my need for privacy on this matter."
Lindsey, who was known as Lindsey Kidlow before getting married to Thomas Vonn on September 29, 2007, has said she will be keeping her name after the divorce. This summer, she won the best female athlete category at the ESPY Awards in Los Angeles. With her career continuing to rise, the 27-year-old skier said in her statement that she will continue to be coached by the U.S. team and looks forward to competing the rest of the season.
Lindsey Vonn rose to sports super-stardom during the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. The world watched in awe as Lindsey, who was suffering from a badly-bruised shin, won a gold medal in the downhill as well as a bronze in the super-G. Thomas, a former professional skier, helped Lindsey coordinate interviews and train for competitions. Thomas reportedly stepped in when Lindsey and her father/manager Alan Kidlow had a falling out in 2006 before the Turin Olympics. Kidlow allegedly disapproved of her relationship with Thomas, who is nine years her senior.