Speedskater Kamila Sellier injury update: How serious is her cut after shocking Olympic fall and blade collision? | International Sports News
Kamila Sellier injury turned a tense Olympic quarterfinal into a scene few inside the Milano Ice Skating Arena will forget. The Polish short-track skater had been leading her heat in the women’s 1,500 meters when the race unraveled in seconds. A misjudged move, a tangle of blades, and then a sudden stop. Sellier lay on the ice, motionless, as officials rushed in and the crowd fell quiet, trying to grasp what had just happened.The crash came during the quarterfinals at the 2026 Winter Olympics, where every lap carries weight. Sellier, ranked 20th in the world, was not expected to dominate but had positioned herself well. That promise gave way to concern when a competitor’s blade struck her above the left eye. Within moments, the race no longer mattered. Her safety did.
Kamila Sellier injury shocks Olympic quarterfinal after illegal pass leads to dangerous crash
The Kamila Sellier injury happened with six laps remaining as skaters fought for position entering a turn. Kristen Santos-Griswold attempted an illegal lane pass and collided with Sellier. Both went down. Italy’s Arianna Fontana, a veteran with 15 Olympic medals, was also caught in the fall.Sellier’s protective glasses were knocked away in the impact. Without them, her face was exposed. The blade cut above her left eye, leaving a deep gash. Officials quickly surrounded her, even holding up a white sheet to give medical staff space to work. After several tense minutes, she was placed on a stretcher and taken off the ice to warm applause from spectators who understood the seriousness of the moment.Medical staff treated her inside the arena, where she received stitches. Early reports indicated her eye was protected, sparing her from a far worse outcome. She was later taken for further tests as a precaution.Santos-Griswold’s race ended in heartbreak of a different kind. Penalized for the illegal pass, she was disqualified and did not advance. She appeared stunned when the decision was explained, fighting back tears before leaving the ice. It marked another painful Olympic chapter for the American, who had come close to medals before but again left without one.When racing resumed, the focus slowly shifted back to competition. Kim Gilli won gold, while fellow South Korean Choi Minjeong claimed silver. American Corinne Stoddard earned bronze. Their achievements were significant, yet the earlier crash lingered in conversation.The same day delivered another scare when freestyle skier Nick Goepper slammed into the halfpipe during a difficult trick. He managed to stand and reassure fans, offering a reminder of how thin the line can be between routine and risk in Olympic sport.For Kamila Sellier, the stitches will heal. What remains is the memory of a race that stopped the arena cold and reminded everyone watching how quickly control can disappear on ice.
