A collision during a women's 1500m short-track speed skating race at the Milan Cortina Olympics resulted in a significant facial injury to Kamila Sellier of Poland. The incident, which occurred during the quarter-final round, saw an opponent's skate blade make contact with Sellier's face, leading to a visible laceration above her left eye. Medical personnel immediately attended to Sellier on the ice, and she was subsequently stretchered from the arena for further treatment. While the injury caused a temporary halt to the competition and necessitated medical attention, Polish officials have indicated that her eye was not seriously affected.
Incident Details and Immediate Aftermath
The accident took place during the women's 1500m quarter-final event on Friday. Kamila Sellier, a 25-year-old Polish speed skater, fell during the race, at which point an opponent's skate blade inadvertently struck her.
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The collision occurred near Sellier's left eye, resulting in a cut that caused bleeding.
Medical staff, including Olympic emergency medical personnel, promptly entered the ice to assess and treat Sellier.
A white sheet was used to shield Sellier from spectators as she was placed on a stretcher.
Sellier was wheeled out of the Milano Ice Skating Arena.
Witnesses reported that Sellier gave a thumbs-up as she was being attended to and as she left the arena, suggesting she was conscious.
The race was temporarily paused to allow for medical attention and for ice crews to clean up blood from the ice surface.
Medical Evaluation and Condition
Following the incident, Sellier received immediate medical attention at the arena.
She was given stitches for the laceration above her left eye at the venue.
She was then transported to a hospital for further examination and tests.
Polish officials have stated that Sellier's eye itself was not compromised.
Reports indicate she sustained damage to her zygomatic bone, with X-rays being taken at the hospital.
One journalist suggested Sellier remained conscious after leaving the ice.
Accident Sequence and Involved Competitors
While Sellier fell, the precise chain of events leading to the blade contact is a subject of detail across multiple reports.
Kristen Santos-Griswold of the USA was identified as the skater whose blade made contact with Sellier.
Ariana Fontana of Italy was also involved in the same on-ice incident.
Reports suggest Sellier fell, and in the process, Santos-Griswold's skate struck Sellier.
One report notes that Santos-Griswold was later disqualified for her lane pass following the crash.
Competition Impact and Results
The accident had implications for the race and subsequent advancements.
Sellier finished second in her heat to Hanne Desmet of Belgium, a result that was not nullified by the incident, allowing her to advance to the semi-final round.
However, some reports indicate the incident may have prevented Sellier from advancing through the quarter-final round, creating a slight discrepancy in outcome reporting.
Corinne Stoddard of the USA went on to win the bronze medal in the 1,500-meter race.
Other race winners mentioned include Kim Gilli (gold) and Choi Minjeong (silver), both from Korea, in a separate event.
Expert and Official Commentary
Information from Polish officials and journalists provides insight into Sellier's condition and potential contributing factors.
"Polish officials said Sellier's eye was OK." (Multiple sources)
"According to Polish journalist Mateusz Ligęza, Sellier was conscious after leaving the ice."
"Ligęza reported that Sellier damaged her zygomatic bone and was being taken to the hospital for X-rays."
Some reports mentioned a suggestion of potentially poor ice conditions within the arena as a contributing factor to the fall and subsequent collision.
Conclusion and Unresolved Details
The incident involving Kamila Sellier highlights the inherent risks in short-track speed skating. While Sellier sustained a visible facial laceration requiring stitches and further medical evaluation, initial reports from Polish officials are reassuring regarding the integrity of her eye. The direct cause of Sellier's fall, preceding the blade contact, remains an area that was observed, and its role in the subsequent contact is a key element of the event. Further medical updates and official reports on the incident's full impact on Sellier's participation and performance will clarify the situation.
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Sources Used:
[Article 1] Olympic Skater Takes Blade to Face During Race at Winter Games, Gruesome Injury
URL: https://www.tmz.com/2026/02/20/kamila-sellier-speed-skater-blade-face-eye-crash-winter-olympics/
Context: TMZ report detailing the injury and identifying the involved skaters.
[Article 2] Olympic speed skater Sellier in hospital after taking blade to the face
URL: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/feb/20/olympic-speed-skater-stretchered-blade-cuts-face
Context: The Guardian article describing Sellier's removal from the ice and initial medical status.
[Article 3] Kamila Sellier injury update after skate cuts face during Olympics
Context: USA Today report on Sellier's injury status and treatment received.
[Article 4] Sellier stretchered off after opponent's blade slices near her eye in Olympic 1500
Context: ABC News report detailing the injury, Sellier's condition, and race outcome.
[Article 5] Polish Speedskater Stretchered Out of Olympic Race After Opponent's Blade Slices Below Her Eye
URL: https://people.com/polish-speedskater-stretchered-off-after-opponent-blade-slices-below-eye-11911202
Context: People magazine's account of the incident, including Sellier's thumbs-up gesture and disqualification of another skater.
[Article 6] Kamila Sellier taken off ice after blade slashes face in frightening Olympic scene
Context: Newsweek report on Sellier's removal from the ice and the immediate response.
[Article 7] Polish Speedskater Kamila Sellier Struck In Face By Opponent’s Blade
URL: https://www.si.com/winter-olympics/polish-speedskater-kamila-sellier-struck-in-face-opponents-blade
Context: Sports Illustrated article confirming the injury and mentioning other involved skaters.
[Article 8] Polish speedskater stretchered off after opponent's blade slices her face
Context: NBC News report covering Sellier's injury, treatment, and race progression.
[Article 9] Winter Olympics star has face slashed open in horror speed skating accident
Context: GB News report describing the severity of the injury and the immediate medical response.
[Article 10] Speed skater stretchered off after being slashed in the EYE
Context: Daily Mail article detailing the incident, involved athletes, and Sellier's condition.
[Article 11] Olympic Speed Skater Cut in Face by Skate in Gnarly Scene at 2026 Games
URL: https://www.theolympian.com/sports/olympics/article314780802.html
Context: The Olympian report including journalist observations and potential contributing factors.
[Article 13] Polish speedskater stretchered off after opponent's blade slices her face
Context: NBC News report covering Sellier's injury, treatment, and race progression. (Note: Duplicate URL from Article 8, but retained for source completeness as per instructions.)
