A harrowing accident at the Milan Cortina Olympics on Friday left Polish short-track speed skater Kamila Sellier with a cut above her left eye after being struck by another skater’s blade during the women’s 1,500m quarterfinal. The incident forced a pause in competition at the Milano Ice Skating Arena and required Sellier to be stretchered off the ice.
The collision occurred alongside Italian 15-time Olympic medalist Ariana Fontana and American skater Kristen Santos-Griswold. Santos-Griswold was subsequently penalized for an illegal lane pass, disqualifying her from advancing to the next round. Officials confirmed Sellier’s eye was not seriously injured, and she received stitches at the arena before being transported to a hospital for further evaluation, according to Polish team officials.
Sellier reportedly gave a thumbs-up to the crowd as she was being carried away, despite a visible trail of blood remaining on the ice in the final corner of the track. Arena staff were required to clean the track during the ensuing break in competition.
The incident visibly impacted Sellier’s teammates. Natalia Maliszewska expressed her concern, stating, “My thoughts are with her. I can’t think of anything else.” Gabriela Topolska noted that such accidents, while uncommon, are not unprecedented in the sport, revealing that Sellier had previously sustained a similar injury to her face from a skate blade. “Kamila has a cut in her skin, with stitches,” Topolska added.
Fontana’s race suit was also nicked during the collision, and she received attention from her physiotherapist for discomfort in her left hip. Despite the disruption, Fontana continued and finished second in her quarterfinal, securing a place in the semi-finals. She later advanced to the finals, narrowly defeating Zhang Chutong at the finish line.
Fontana, seeking to equal Norwegian cross-country skier Marit Bjoergen’s record for the most decorated Winter Olympian, ultimately finished fifth in the 1,500m final, missing out on a medal. She had previously won gold in the 2,000m mixed relay and silver in the 500m and 3,000m relay at these Games.
