Blade Horror At Winter Olympics: Poland's Sellier Stretchered After 1500m Crash | WATCH

Last Updated:February 21, 2026, 16:53 IST

Poland's Kamila Sellier was injured in a crash at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, receiving stitches after a skate blade cut.

Kamila Sellier’s Olympic night ended in horror.

The Polish short-track skater was stretchered off at the Milano Cortina Games after a rival’s blade sliced her under the left eye during a chaotic 1500m quarter-final.

Racing stopped. A white screen went up. Blood marked the final bend.

Sellier was immobilised on a stretcher and wheeled out of the Milano Ice Skating Arena after receiving medical attention behind a white privacy sheet. She managed to give a thumbs up to the crowd as she left the ice.

Polish officials later confirmed she underwent surgery. Her eye was not seriously damaged, and she received stitches at the arena before being transported to hospital for further tests.

How the Crash Unfolded

The incident occurred when Sellier went down alongside Italy’s Arianna Fontana, a 14-time Olympic medallist, and American Kristen Santos-Griswold.

Santos-Griswold was penalised for attempting an illegal pass that contributed to the collision, ending her hopes of advancing. As she fell, her skate blade caught Sellier under her left eye, causing a deep cut.

Blood was visible on the final corner of the track as workers cleaned the surface during the stoppage, with the packed arena watching anxiously.

Fontana Marches On

Fontana’s skinsuit was torn in the crash, and she received treatment on her left hip during the delay. Despite the scare, she finished second behind Belgium’s Hanne Desmet to reach the semi-finals.

Fontana later advanced to the final, narrowly edging China’s Zhang Chutong at the line.

The reigning Olympic silver medallist in the 1500m, Fontana had entered the race chasing history, aiming to draw level with Norwegian cross-country great Marit Bjørgen as the most decorated Winter Olympian.

Fontana had already won gold in the 2000m mixed relay and silver in the 500m and 3000m relay earlier in Milan.

But the night will be remembered first for the terrifying crash, and for Sellier’s brave thumbs up as she left the ice.

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