Polish speedskater Kamila Sellier has shared an encouraging health update after being injured during the women’s 1,500-metre event at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. The 25-year-old athlete was involved in a high-speed collision that resulted in a skate blade causing a facial cut near her left eye. The incident occurred during a tightly contested race and required immediate medical attention, bringing a sudden pause to the competition and concern from fans around the world.
The collision involved Italy’s Arianna Fontana and American skater Kristen Santos-Griswold. Following a review, Santos-Griswold was penalized for an illegal lane pass, which prevented her from advancing beyond the quarter-finals. While Fontana was able to continue racing and later finished fifth in the final, Sellier was taken off the ice on a stretcher and transported to a nearby hospital. Medical teams acted quickly, and spectators inside the venue showed their support as she acknowledged the crowd with a reassuring thumbs-up while leaving the rink.
On Saturday morning, Polish officials confirmed that Sellier had undergone surgery the previous evening. In a statement provided to BBC Sport, representatives said she was in good condition and awaiting additional tests to ensure there was no damage to her eye. Teammates Natalia Maliszewska and Gabriela Topolska later spoke about the emotional impact of the incident, noting that while such accidents are uncommon in the sport, they can occur given the speed and intensity of competition. They emphasized that Sellier received stitches for the cut and was being carefully monitored by medical professionals.
Later that day, Sellier addressed supporters directly through Instagram, posting a photo from her hospital bed. In her message, she expressed gratitude for the outpouring of encouragement and assured fans that she was recovering well. “I know that one day I’ll look at this picture and remember that I’m stronger than I ever believed,” she wrote, adding that she was doing “quite okay.” Meanwhile, the event concluded with South Korea’s Kim Gilli and Choi Min-jeong taking gold and silver, and American skater Corinne Stoddard earning bronze. Despite the unexpected setback, Sellier’s resilience and positive outlook have inspired many as she focuses on recovery and a hopeful return to competition.