Kamila Sellier required surgery after a serious crash during the women’s 1500m speed skating event on Friday evening. The Polish speed skater was struck on the face by a blade of an opponent’s skates.
Sellier was caught in the face just under her left eye and received stitches at the Milano Ice Skating Arena. She then had to be stretchered off and later underwent surgery.
Kamila Sellier’s Status After Gruesome Injury
The incident occurred during the quarterfinals of the women’s 1500m speed skating event, and the race was paused as Sellier received treatment under a large white sheet on the final night of short track speed skating at the 2025 Winter Olympics.
As the skaters jockeyed for positions in a tight quarterfinal heat, Sellier was brought down during the race alongside Italy’s Ariana Fontana and Kristen Santos-Griswold of Team USA. Santos-Griswold’s skate caught the Pole on her face, just above her left eye.
The American speed skater was later penalized for an illegal lane pass that had played a part in the incident. She was eliminated from the event in the quarterfinals.
As she was stretchered off the arena, Sellier gave a thumbs up to the crowd, who cheered for her. Polish officials provided an update on the 25-year-old’s condition on Saturday, revealing that her eye was in good condition.
“Kamila had surgery last night. She’s in good condition. We’re waiting for further tests today, to check her eye for any signs of damage,” a spokesperson told BBC Sport.
Meanwhile, the women’s short-track speed skating 1500m event resumed later on Friday evening.
Women’s 1500m Short Track Speed Skating Results
The final night of short track speed skating at the 2026 Winter Olympics had a fascinating conclusion. Ultimately, it was Kim Gil-li of South Korea who came out on top and won the gold medal to go along with her gold in the 3000m relay and bronze in the 1000m.
The silver medal was won by her compatriot and teammate on the 3000m relay, Choi Min-jeong. Team USA speed skater Corinne Stoddard won the bronze medal.
Fontana, a 14-time Olympic medalist, missed out on a medal in the women’s 1500m short track final as she finished fifth in the final. The 35-year-old was impacted by an injury suffered during a fall in the quarterfinals as she attempted to move level with Marit Bjorgen as the most decorated Olympian in history.
The Italian has already won three medals at the 2026 Winter Olympics, triumphing in the 2000m mixed relay and earning silver medals in the 500m and the 3000m relay.
