American skier Lindsey Vonn overcame severe pain in her right leg to win gold in the women's downhill event at the Winter Olympics.

The athlete had been an injury doubt before the competition with serious bruising to her left shin, but she managed to ski through the pain barrier to win the contest at the Whistler Creekside slope.

Using numbing cream on the injury to dull the pain, Vonn won by 0.56 seconds ahead of fellow US competitor Julia Mancuso and said afterwards: "Everyone expected me to do it, but it's not as easy as just saying you can do it."

Those trying to go for gold in their own way but held back by leg pain may find that using a home ultrasound device provides the relief they need to get back to doing their own favourite sorting activities.

By the end of Thursday (February 18th) the US led the medals table at the games with 18, while Britain is yet to have a podium finish.