Lydia Ierodiaconou
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Lydia Ierodiaconou (YERRA-DEE-A-KON-OO)(born January 17, 1982 in Melbourne) is an Australian Olympic Freestyle Skier who was competing in the 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Turin.
In June 2005 she suffered a ruptured Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) and underwent a radical knee reconstruction whereby a cadaver Achilles tendon was grafted into her knee as a replacement for her damaged ACL. This would allow for a faster recovery and a swift return to the slopes in time for the start of the 2006 Winter Olympic Games in February.
In the second round of the Aerials her knee collapsed on impact after attempting to land a difficult jump, re-rupturing her ACL and forcing her to withdraw. However, taking inspiration from compatriots and teammates Jacqui Cooper and Alisa Camplin, both of whom have suffered similar knee injuries, the 24-year-old has vowed to return to the sport when she has recovered.
Lydia Ierodiaconou is currently ranked World Number 2 in the Aerials.