Kamila Sellier’s Facial Injury Update After Olympic Skate Accident
During the 2026 Winter Olympics, Polish speed skater Kamila Sellier suffered a significant facial injury in the women’s short-track quarterfinals. The incident occurred on Friday while competing in the 1,500-meter event at the Milano Skating Arena.
Kamila Sellier’s Injury Details
Sellier was leading the race with nine laps remaining when a collision unfolded. She was overtaken by Italy’s Arianna Fontana. As the athletes vied for better positions, Sellier fell during a turn and was struck by the blade of her competitor, American Kristen Santos-Griswold, which cut above her left eye.
Race Suspension
The collision resulted in a pause in the race. Officials deployed a white sheet to shield Sellier as she remained on the ice for several minutes before medical personnel arrived. Eventually, she was placed on a stretcher and transported out of the arena amidst applause from the spectators.
Medical Response
- Sellier was taken to a hospital for further examination.
- She received stitches at the arena for her injury.
- Sellier is currently ranked No. 20 in the world.
Impact on Competitors
This incident also led to a penalty for Santos-Griswold due to an illegal lane violation that caused the accident. As a result, she did not advance to the semifinals, concluding her Olympic journey without a medal. During this time, Santos-Griswold exhibited confusion and emotion after being informed of her disqualification.
Final Race Outcomes
Despite the turmoil, the race concluded with American Corinne Stoddard winning the bronze medal. Korean athletes dominated the podium, with Kim Gilli taking gold and Choi Minjeong securing silver.
Santos-Griswold’s Olympic Journey
This incident follows Santos-Griswold’s tough experience at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, where she narrowly missed a medal in the 1,000-meter event. However, she rebounded successfully, winning five medals at the 2024 World Championships, including gold in the 1,000-meter race. Her achievements marked her as the first U.S. skater to medal in three individual distances at a single championship.
As the athletes recover and prepare for future competitions, their journey in the Olympics continues to inspire. El-Balad will keep following their progress in the coming events.
