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  "path": "/sport/winter-olympics/polish-skater-kamila-sellier-face-horror-accident",
  "publishedAt": "2026-02-21T15:03:10.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "Bobsleigh driver hospitalised at Winter Olympics after terrifying crash in final causing delays",
    "American skier fires back at Donald Trump after 'loser' comments with gesture amid public row",
    "Winter Olympics star has face slashed open in horror speed skating accident",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\nPolish speed skater Kamila Sellier has shared a hospital selfie, offering reassurance to supporters following surgery for facial injuries sustained during the Winter Olympics in Milan.\n\nThe 25-year-old, photographed in a hospital gown with only her uninjured eye visible, posted an optimistic message to her fans on social media.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nShe wrote: \"I know that one day I'll look at this picture and remember that I'm stronger than I ever believed.\n\n\"Thank you for all your words of support, just wanted to let you know that I'm doing quite okay.\"\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nSellier underwent an operation on Friday night after a competitor's blade struck her face during the women's 1500m short-track quarter-finals, causing one of the most distressing injuries witnessed at a Winter Games.\n\nThe incident unfolded during Friday evening's quarter-final heat when American skater Kristen Santos-Griswold attempted an illegal lane change, triggering a collision involving three competitors.\n\nAs the 31-year-old from Connecticut lost her balance, her blade swung upwards and caught Sellier just beneath her left eye, with the impact also dislodging the Polish athlete's protective eyewear.\n\nItalian veteran Arianna Fontana, a 15-time Olympic medallist, was also caught up in the crash but escaped serious harm.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nSellier had been leading the race with nine laps remaining when the accident occurred, sending her skidding across the ice as blood streamed down her cheek.\n\nOfficials immediately halted proceedings while medical staff attended to the stricken athlete behind a white privacy screen, and the track had to be cleaned before racing could resume.\n\nDespite initially receiving stitches at the arena, Sellier was transferred to hospital where CT scans uncovered a minor fracture, prompting surgeons to reopen the wound for a thorough examination of the bone.\n\nPolish Olympic team press attaché Katarzyna Kochaniak-Roman provided an update late on Friday.\n\n### LATEST SPORT NEWS\n\n\n\n\n  * Bobsleigh driver hospitalised at Winter Olympics after terrifying crash in final causing delays\n  * American skier fires back at Donald Trump after 'loser' comments with gesture amid public row\n  * Winter Olympics star has face slashed open in horror speed skating accident\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nShe said: \"The decision was made after CT scan results revealed a minor fracture. After the procedure, Kamila will remain in the hospital overnight for observation.\n\n\"She's very brave. She got out of bed on her own. Her parents and the national team doctor have been with her the entire time.\"\n\nPolish Olympic Committee president Konrad Niedzwiecki confirmed on Saturday morning that Sellier had woken with considerable swelling after limited sleep, with further assessments scheduled to examine her eye movement and determine whether her zygomatic bone sustained damage.\n\nSantos-Griswold received a penalty for the illegal manoeuvre and was barred from progressing to the semi-finals, with reports indicating she was visibly emotional upon learning of Sellier's condition from officials.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe Polish skater's teammates expressed their distress following the frightening scenes at the Milano Speed Skating Stadium.\n\nNatalia Maliszewska said: \"My thoughts are with her. I can't think of anything else.\"\n\nFellow squad member Gabriela Topolska added: \"These aren't common accidents, but they do happen. Kamila already has one of them, from a skate on her face. Kamila has a cut in her skin, with stitches.\"\n\nFontana, despite her involvement in the collision, recovered sufficiently to finish second in the quarter-final before ultimately placing fifth in the final.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards:The GB News Editorial Charter**",
  "title": "Winter Olympic skater breaks silence from hospital bed after face was slashed open in horror accident"
}