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Polish Short‑Track Skater Kamila Sellier Recovers After Surgery Following Blade‑Cut Incident

Updated (7 articles)
  • Kamila Sellier of Poland falls during the women's 1,500 meters short track speedskating quarterfinal at the 2026 Winter Olympics, Feb. 20, 2026.
    Kamila Sellier of Poland falls during the women's 1,500 meters short track speedskating quarterfinal at the 2026 Winter Olympics, Feb. 20, 2026.
    Image: WBNS (Columbus, OH)
    Kamila Sellier of Poland falls during the women's 1,500 meters short track speedskating quarterfinal at the 2026 Winter Olympics, Feb. 20, 2026. (Credit: AP) Source Full size
  • Kamila Sellier of Poland is helped after a fall during the women's 1,500 meters short track speed skating quarterfinal at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
    Kamila Sellier of Poland is helped after a fall during the women's 1,500 meters short track speed skating quarterfinal at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
    Image: WBNS (Columbus, OH)
    Kamila Sellier of Poland is helped after a fall during the women's 1,500 meters short track speed skating quarterfinal at the 2026 Winter Olympics. (Credit: AP) Source Full size
  • None
    None
    Image: AP
    Source Full size
  • Kamila Sellier of Poland falls during the women's 1,500 meters short track speedskating quarterfinal at the 2026 Winter Olympics, Feb. 20, 2026.
    Kamila Sellier of Poland falls during the women's 1,500 meters short track speedskating quarterfinal at the 2026 Winter Olympics, Feb. 20, 2026.
    Image: King5 (Seattle, WA)
    Kamila Sellier of Poland falls during the women's 1,500 meters short track speedskating quarterfinal at the 2026 Winter Olympics, Feb. 20, 2026. (Credit: AP) Source Full size
  • None
    None
    Image: AP
    Source Full size
  • Kamila Sellier of Poland is helped after a fall during the women's 1,500 meters short track speed skating quarterfinal at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
    Kamila Sellier of Poland is helped after a fall during the women's 1,500 meters short track speed skating quarterfinal at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
    Image: King5 (Seattle, WA)
    Kamila Sellier of Poland is helped after a fall during the women's 1,500 meters short track speed skating quarterfinal at the 2026 Winter Olympics. (Credit: AP) Source Full size
  • None
    None
    Image: AP
    Source Full size
  • None
    None
    Image: AP
    Source Full size
  • Kamila Sellier of Poland is helped after a fall during the women's 1,500 meters short track speed skating quarterfinal at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
    Kamila Sellier of Poland is helped after a fall during the women's 1,500 meters short track speed skating quarterfinal at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
    Image: WBNS (Columbus, OH)
    Kamila Sellier of Poland is helped after a fall during the women's 1,500 meters short track speed skating quarterfinal at the 2026 Winter Olympics. (Credit: AP) Source Full size
  • Kamila Sellier of Poland is helped after a fall during a short track speed skating women's 1500 meters quarterfinal at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
    Kamila Sellier of Poland is helped after a fall during a short track speed skating women's 1500 meters quarterfinal at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
    Image: WBNS (Columbus, OH)
    Kamila Sellier of Poland is helped after a fall during a short track speed skating women's 1500 meters quarterfinal at the 2026 Winter Olympics. (Credit: AP) Source Full size
  • Kamila Sellier of Poland is helped after falling during a short track speed skating women's 1500 meters quarterfinal at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
    Kamila Sellier of Poland is helped after falling during a short track speed skating women's 1500 meters quarterfinal at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
    Image: WBNS (Columbus, OH)
    Kamila Sellier of Poland is helped after falling during a short track speed skating women's 1500 meters quarterfinal at the 2026 Winter Olympics. (Credit: AP) Source Full size
  • Kamila Sellier of Poland falls during the women's 1,500 meters short track speedskating quarterfinal at the 2026 Winter Olympics, Feb. 20, 2026.
    Kamila Sellier of Poland falls during the women's 1,500 meters short track speedskating quarterfinal at the 2026 Winter Olympics, Feb. 20, 2026.
    Image: WBNS (Columbus, OH)
    Kamila Sellier of Poland falls during the women's 1,500 meters short track speedskating quarterfinal at the 2026 Winter Olympics, Feb. 20, 2026. (Credit: AP) Source Full size
  • Kamila Sellier of Poland is helped after a fall during the women's 1,500 meters short track speed skating quarterfinal at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
    Kamila Sellier of Poland is helped after a fall during the women's 1,500 meters short track speed skating quarterfinal at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
    Image: King5 (Seattle, WA)
    Kamila Sellier of Poland is helped after a fall during the women's 1,500 meters short track speed skating quarterfinal at the 2026 Winter Olympics. (Credit: AP) Source Full size
  • Kamila Sellier of Poland is helped after a fall during a short track speed skating women's 1500 meters quarterfinal at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
    Kamila Sellier of Poland is helped after a fall during a short track speed skating women's 1500 meters quarterfinal at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
    Image: King5 (Seattle, WA)
    Kamila Sellier of Poland is helped after a fall during a short track speed skating women's 1500 meters quarterfinal at the 2026 Winter Olympics. (Credit: AP) Source Full size
  • Kamila Sellier of Poland is helped after falling during a short track speed skating women's 1500 meters quarterfinal at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
    Kamila Sellier of Poland is helped after falling during a short track speed skating women's 1500 meters quarterfinal at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
    Image: King5 (Seattle, WA)
    Kamila Sellier of Poland is helped after falling during a short track speed skating women's 1500 meters quarterfinal at the 2026 Winter Olympics. (Credit: AP) Source Full size
  • Kamila Sellier of Poland falls during the women's 1,500 meters short track speedskating quarterfinal at the 2026 Winter Olympics, Feb. 20, 2026.
    Kamila Sellier of Poland falls during the women's 1,500 meters short track speedskating quarterfinal at the 2026 Winter Olympics, Feb. 20, 2026.
    Image: King5 (Seattle, WA)
    Kamila Sellier of Poland falls during the women's 1,500 meters short track speedskating quarterfinal at the 2026 Winter Olympics, Feb. 20, 2026. (Credit: AP) Source Full size
  • Kamila Sellier of Poland falls during the women's 1,500 meters short track speedskating quarterfinal at the 2026 Winter Olympics, Feb. 20, 2026.
    Kamila Sellier of Poland falls during the women's 1,500 meters short track speedskating quarterfinal at the 2026 Winter Olympics, Feb. 20, 2026.
    Image: King5 (Seattle, WA)
    Kamila Sellier of Poland falls during the women's 1,500 meters short track speedskating quarterfinal at the 2026 Winter Olympics, Feb. 20, 2026. (Credit: AP) Source Full size

Blade‑Cut Collision Halts 1500 m Quarterfinal During the women’s 1,500 m short‑track quarter‑final on 20 February 2026, Poland’s Kamila Sellier fell after colliding with U.S. skater Kristen Santos‑Griswold and Italy’s Ariana Fontana; Santos‑Griswold’s skate blade sliced Sellier just above her left eye, prompting an immediate race stoppage [1][2][3][4][5][6].

On‑Ice Treatment Leads to Hospital Surgery Medics covered Sellier with a white sheet, stitched the facial wound on the arena ice, and then escorted her to a hospital where she underwent surgery the following night; officials confirmed her eye was unharmed and she remained in good condition while awaiting further tests [1][2][3][4][5][6].

Penalties Issued to Both Polish and American Skaters After the heat resumed, officials penalised Sellier and Santos‑Griswold for an “illegal late pass” at the end of the straight, and Santos‑Griswold was barred from any further competition in the event [1][2][5][6].

Fontana Continues to the Final Despite Crash Italy’s Ariana Fontana, whose skinsuit was nicked, recovered during the pause, finished second in the quarter‑final, advanced through the semifinals and ultimately placed fifth in the final, keeping her pursuit of a record‑tying medal tally [3][4].

Broadcasters Question the Penalty Decision U.S. commentators noted the lack of a replay and said, “I don’t know what happened,” expressing confusion over the penalty and underscoring ongoing concerns about officiating transparency in short‑track [1][5][6].

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Timeline

1956 Winter Olympics – Tenley Albright wins gold in ladies’ figure skating despite a practice accident that slices her ankle, later becoming a Harvard‑trained surgeon and U.S. Olympic Committee vice‑president. [3]

Feb 6, 2026 – The Milan‑Cortina 2026 Winter Games open, scheduled to run 6–22 February, with short‑track speed skating set to conclude on the final night of competition. [1]

Feb 20, 2026 – In the women’s 1,500 m short‑track quarter‑final, Poland’s Kamila Sellier slips on a turn, is struck by American Kristen Santos‑Griswold’s blade and suffers a deep cut above her left eye; the race is halted, she receives on‑ice stitches and is stretchered off, and both she and Santos‑Griswold receive penalties for an “illegal late pass” while Italy’s Ariana Fontana continues, later placing second in the heat and ultimately fifth in the final. Commentator notes, “I don’t know what happened.” [2][4][5][7]

Feb 20, 2026 (night) – Sellier undergoes facial surgery; a Polish team spokesperson tells BBC Sport, “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.” [1]

Feb 21, 2026 – Polish officials confirm Sellier remains in good condition after surgery and schedule eye examinations later that day. [1][4][6]

Feb 21, 2026 – Ninety‑year‑old former Olympic champion Tenley Albright appears at the women’s free‑skate, dons a Team USA sweater, shows a 1956 opening‑ceremony sweater she missed due to her ankle injury, and praises the U.S. “Blade Angels” and Alysa Liu’s medal bid, saying the skaters “try to convince themselves they aren’t nervous.” [3]

Future (Feb 21, 2026 onward) – Eye tests are planned for Sellier later on Feb 21 to confirm no lasting damage, while the short‑track program concludes with the final night of events. [1][4]