Kamila Sellier Undergoes Surgery After Blade Cut to Face in Olympic Short-Track Crash
Kamila Sellier, the 25-year-old Polish short-track speed skater, underwent surgery after suffering a severe cut to her face when she crashed during a quarter-final at the Winter Olympics. The injury, and a subsequent penalty that removed an American competitor from advancement, altered the race's result and left Sellier under further medical evaluation.
Milano Ice Skating Arena scene and immediate treatment
The incident occurred on Friday at the Milano Ice Skating Arena when Sellier went down in a multi-skater collision. Medical staff gave her lengthy treatment on the ice before she was placed on a stretcher. A white sheet was held up during the on-ice treatment to shield the crowd from the extent of the wound, and workers later had to clean a trail of blood left in the final corner of the track during the competition break. As she was taken from the ice, Sellier gave a thumbs up to the crowd.
Kristen Santos-Griswold illegal lane pass and quarter-final impact
The crash involved 14-time Olympic medalist Arianna Fontana of Italy and American skater Kristen Santos-Griswold. Santos-Griswold was penalized for an illegal lane pass that contributed to the collision, a sanction that kept her from advancing through the quarter-final round.
Kamila Sellier Instagram update and photograph
On Saturday Sellier posted an update on Instagram that said she was "doing quite okay" and expressed resilience: "I know that one day I’ll look at this picture and remember that I’m stronger than I ever believed. Thank you for all your words of support, just wanted to let you know that I’m doing quite okay. " The accompanying photo shows her in a hospital bed and intentionally crops out the right side of her face, where the cut occurred.
Polish team spokesperson: surgery and ongoing eye checks
A Polish team spokesperson said on Saturday that "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. " That official statement establishes a clear medical timeline: injury on Friday, surgery the following night, and further tests planned for the next day to assess potential eye damage.
Race outcome: Kim Gil-li gold and Arianna Fontana fifth place
South Korea’s Kim Gil-li went on to win the gold medal in the final. Arianna Fontana finished fifth, missing the chance to equal a Winter Olympics record for career medals. What makes this notable is that the quarter-final collision not only injured Sellier but also had a direct effect on which skaters advanced and on Fontana’s opportunity to match a long-standing Olympic milestone.
The sequence is clear: an illegal lane pass by Kristen Santos-Griswold contributed to a crash that injured Kamila Sellier; Sellier required immediate, extensive on-ice treatment and subsequent surgery; medical staff scheduled further tests to check for damage to her eye. Officials and team medical staff now await test results to determine her recovery trajectory.
All parties involved — the injured skater, the penalized competitor, and those who completed the final — remained in place in the schedule while arena staff addressed the visible aftermath on the track. The incident has left Sellier’s condition under medical scrutiny and reshaped the quarter-final outcome that fed into the medal race.
