Olympic Speed Skater Provides Hospital Update Following Blade Injury

Polish speed skater Kamila Sellier is on the mend after suffering a severe facial injury during her race at the 2026 Winter Olympics. The incident occurred when she collided with Team USA's Kristen Santos-Griswold, whose blade accidentally cut Sellier's face.

“I know that one day I’ll look at this picture and remember that I’m stronger than I ever believed,” Sellier, 25, expressed in an Instagram post on February 21, sharing a selfie from her hospital bed. “Thank you for all your words of support.”

In the photo, Sellier wore a hospital gown and flashed a closed-mouth smile while forming a heart shape with her fingers. “Just wanted to let you know that I’m doing quite OK,” she added, reassuring her followers.

The accident unfolded during the women’s 1500m event on February 20. Following the collision, Sellier was swiftly attended to by local medical staff and was seen giving a thumbs up to the audience as she was taken off the ice.

Kristen Santos-Griswold, 31, faced penalties for an illegal lane change that led to the crash and was subsequently disqualified from the competition. Reports indicated that Sellier remained conscious throughout the ordeal, sustaining damage to her zygomatic bone, commonly known as the cheekbone.

“She was conscious the whole time after that disastrous contact with the skate,” Polish journalist Mateusz Ligęza reported via X. Meanwhile, CBC reporter Devin Heroux pointed to poor ice conditions as a potential factor in the incident.

“Ice conditions have been a topic of conversation throughout the Olympics here,” Heroux tweeted, noting that the venue had been used for both short track and figure skating events. “After two weeks of blades tearing up the ice, it appears it’s just not holding up on the final evening of competition.”

He further elaborated on the situation, stating, “It was the hottest day yet of the Olympics in Milano today. The temperature soared to 18 C. And it appears the ice is deteriorating. Horrible for the athletes.”

Sellier, who has been actively sharing her Olympic journey on social media, previously celebrated with Team Poland after winning silver at the ISU World Short Track Speed Skating Championships in March 2025. “It’s a historical day for our team,” she remarked at that time. “It’s our first medal in the World Championships. I’m really happy. I’m really proud of our team. We delivered at the most important competition of the year.”

In her personal life, Kamila married fellow speed skater Diané Sellier in May 2025. Although Diané did not compete in the 2026 Olympics, he has been a steadfast supporter of his wife. “Everyone please send positive energy for [a] good recovery of my wife, who had a terrible crash at the Olympics,” he wrote on his Instagram Stories on February 21. “She is strong and will be back stronger.”