Skater gives update from hospital after face slashed with blade during Winter Olympics race

An Olympian whose face was slashed open during a serious speed-skating crash has provided an update on her health.

Kamila Sellier had been representing Poland in the women's 1500m short track event on Friday (20 Feb) at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. She and her teammates had made it all the way through to the quarter-finals.

During Sellier's attempt to secure her group a place in the upcoming final, however, a cataclysmic collision occurred on the ice, which saw her face struck by the blade of another competitor.

Seconds earlier, Team USA's Kristen Santos-Griswold had attempted an illegal pass which triggered a pile-up.

Tragically, the move saw the American's boot catch Sellier's left eye, also causing the 25-year-old to tumble, whilst clutching the side of her face.

Sellier was stretchered off the ice (Gabriel BOUYS / AFP via Getty Images)

The race was immediately paused as medics rushed onto the ice of the Milano Ice Skating Arena to Sellier's aid.

After tending to her injuries behind a white sheet, she was carried off the ice on a stretcher. The Elbląg-born athlete was seen giving spectators a thumbs-up as she was carried away.

Polish Olympic officials later told press that she'd received stitches whilst at the arena before being taken to hospital.

"Kamila had surgery last night," a spokesperson's statement given to BBC Sport added. "She's in good condition.

"We're waiting for further tests today, to check her eye for any signs of damage."

As we say, Sellier has since provided a health update from hospital, where she claimed she's 'doing ok'.

Sellier sustained a severe eye injury during the race (Instagram/@kamila_sellier)

On Sunday (22 Feb), she shared a selfie showing the half of her face that had avoided injury, captioned: "I know that one day I'll look at this picture and remember that I'm stronger than I ever believed."

Sellier added: "Thank you for all your words of support, just wanted to let you know that I'm doing quite OK."

Santos-Griswold received a penalty for the part she played in the gut-wrenching pile-up, which also took down Italy's 14-time Olympic medallist, Arianna Fontana, whose skinsuit was nicked during the fall.

She received treatment alongside Sellier for a hip injury whilst on the ice.

Despite missing out on a medal, the 35-year-old was able to land herself a place in the final, finishing in fifth place.

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