Relief for Vancouver 2010 as Vonn-couver begins

From James Toney, Sportsbeat, in Whistler

LINDSEY Vonn might just be the saviour of these troubled Olympics.

DISBELIEVING: Lindsey Vonn said her Olympic downhill triumph was the realisation of a lifelong dream (Getty Images)

Vancouver 2010 organisers continue to get a battering from all sides - some of it justified and some it disproportionate.

What they needed was a star to emerge - a Usain Bolt, a Michael Phelps - to take the focus off the newsmen's negative and finally accentuate the sporting positive.

Who cares where the Olympic flame is - or what it's behind - when you are privileged to watch an athlete like Vonn at the very peak of her powers.

Her stunning performance in capturing the women's downhill was the moment Vanoc badly needed - and she still has four events to come and will start a favourite in three of them.

Vonn's aggressive charge down an icy and bumpy course was impressive on its own, and even more remarkable when you consider that one week ago she couldn't even wear a ski boot, after injuring herself during pre-Games training in Austria.

Some have suggested reports of her injury were blown out of proportion. 

They cynically claim that her decision to reveal the news on NBC's top-rated Today was a crude attempt to build up some much needed pre-Olympics drama and hype.

It's certainly true that the US network needs the 25-year old American, after building much of their coverage around her name.

But such suggestions are made by those with very little knowledge of unfailingly polite Vonn and her support team, including husband Thomas.

Vonn might appear like the all-American girl but don't doubt her blonde ambition - or the fact that adversity has often been her biggest motivation.

It's certainly true that her pain barrier is set considerably higher than is normal, with many stories to underline the fact.

But this was her greatest performance yet, a nerveless and peerless show under brilliant blue skies, perfect skiing weather for a perfect skiing display.

These Games have taken several days to get going but Voon-couver 2010, it's really started now.

IN PICTURES: Lindsey Vonn shrugs off injury worries to claim downhill gold

AS IT HAPPENS: Day six of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver