Milan witnessed a dramatic and distressing incident during the Women’s 1500m Quarterfinal 6 of the short-track speed skating competition when Polish skater Kamila Sellier sustained a serious injury. The accident occurred late in the race at the Assago Ice Skating Arena, resulting in Sellier being taken to a nearby hospital for evaluation.
As the race progressed, Sellier lost her footing, colliding with United States competitor Kristen Santos-Griswold. In the chaos that ensued, Santos-Griswold’s skate inadvertently struck Sellier in the face, causing her to crash into a protective wall. Medical personnel quickly responded, raising a sheet around the scene to shield onlookers as they attended to Sellier, who was later transported on a stretcher.
Konrad Niedźwiedzki, press attache for the Polish speed skating team, provided an update, revealing that Sellier had a cut on her cheek and eyelid requiring stitches. Additionally, there were concerns that she might have fractured her cheekbone, as reports noted severe swelling. Despite the severity of her injury, Polish officials stated that Sellier was in good spirits, even managing to give a thumbs-up as she left the arena.
While Sellier’s teammates expressed their concern, with Natalia Maliszewska visibly shaken, Gabriela Topolska remarked on the nature of such accidents in speed skating, acknowledging that they, while rare, are possible. Topolska recalled Sellier’s previous incident involving a skate injury to her face.
Sellier, who has a commendable history in the sport, recently secured a silver medal in the 2000m mixed relay at the European Short Track Speed Skating Championships in January. This incident, however, cast a shadow over the competition, leading to Santos-Griswold’s disqualification likely due to an illegal pass that precipitated the crash.
As the sporting community awaits further updates on Sellier’s condition from the hospital, there is hope for her swift recovery, as many take to social media to send well wishes and support during this challenging time.