Frank Rondel
Polish short‑track speed skater Kamila Sellier was taken from the ice on a stretcher after she was cut above her eye by a competitor’s skate blade during the women’s 1500‑metre quarterfinal at the 2026 Winter Olympics, reports customreceipt.com via Associated Press. On Friday night at the Milan‑Cortina 2026 Games, Sellier, 25, fell in the tight pack alongside American skater Kristen Santos‑Griswold of the United States and Italy’s Arianna Fontana, a decorated Olympic medalist. As Sellier hit the ice during the fall, the blade from Santos‑Griswold’s right skate struck her face just above the left eye, causing significant bleeding and forcing medical staff to stop the race and attend to her on the ice.
Medical personnel raised a large white sheet to shield Sellier from the view of spectators while they administered first aid. She was then taken from the Milano Ice Skating Arena on a stretcher and transported to a nearby hospital. Polish team officials later indicated that although the cut was severe, her eye itself was not seriously injured. Sellier received stitches at the arena before being moved for further evaluation, with initial reports noting swelling and concern about possible cheekbone involvement.
Santos‑Griswold was assessed by officials and penalized for making an illegal lane pass that contributed to the collision, resulting in her being disqualified from advancing to the semifinals. The quarterfinal heat was paused for cleanup after blood was left on the ice following the incident.
Italian veteran Arianna Fontana, who was also involved in the crash, continued in the competition after receiving minor assistance for a small hip injury, eventually finishing in the later stages of the event. International broadcasters covering the Milan‑Cortina 2026 Olympics noted the dramatic nature of the accident and the immediate response from medical teams.
The Winter Olympics 2026 are taking place from February 6 to February 22 across venues in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. Athletes from around the world are competing for medals in 16 sports, with short‑track speed skating among the high‑intensity events drawing significant attention.
Earlier we wrote that Loose Dog Crashes Women’s Cross‑Country Ski Race at Milan Cortina 2026 Olympics