Blade Cuts Sellier’s Eye During Olympic Speedskating 1500m
During the women’s 1,500 meters event at the Milan Cortina Olympics, Polish short track speedskater Kamila Sellier suffered a serious injury. The incident occurred on February 20, 2026, when another skater’s blade unintentionally sliced above Sellier’s left eye. This unfortunate accident led to her being immobilized on a stretcher and taken out of the Milano Ice Skating Arena.
Details of the Incident
Sellier collided with Italian skater Ariana Fontana and American competitor Kristen Santos-Griswold, who was penalized for an illegal lane change that contributed to the crash. As the race was called to a halt, medical personnel attended to Sellier while a large white sheet shielded her from the audience, which marked the conclusion of the short track event.
Medical Response and Updates
- Sellier gave a thumbs-up to the crowd as she was stretchered away, indicating her condition was stable.
- Polish officials later confirmed that her eye was not permanently damaged.
- She received stitches on-site before being transferred to the hospital for further evaluation.
Ariana Fontana’s Performance
Ariana Fontana, a 15-time Olympic medalist, also faced challenges during the race. Despite the incident, she finished second to Hanne Desmet of Belgium, which allowed her to advance to the semifinal round. Ultimately, Fontana secured her place in the finals, narrowly defeating Zhang Chutong at the finish line.
Career Context
As the reigning Olympic silver medalist in the 1,500 meters, Fontana is aiming to match Norwegian cross-country skier Marit Bjørgen’s record as the most decorated athlete in Winter Olympic history. In addition to her efforts in the 1,500 meters, Fontana has already won gold in the 2,000-meter mixed relay and silver medals in both the 500 meters and 3,000-meter relay during the Milan Cortina Games.
