Short-track speedskater stretchered off after Olympic opponent’s blade slices her face

WASHINGTON — A short-track speedskater was taken off the ice on a stretcher in a scary scene Friday during a quarterfinal for the women’s 1,500 meters at the 2026 Winter Olympics. 

Poland’s Kamila Sellier suffered a significant cut near her left eye after she fell in a turn, alongside American Kristen Santos-Griswold and 15-time Olympic medalist Ariana Fontana of Italy. 

The race was quickly halted for several minutes and emergency responders rushed onto the ice to attend to Sellier, who was bleeding. A large white sheet was held up to block her from the crowd that was packed into the arena to see the final night of short-track speedskating at the 2026 Winter Games. 

There was a trail of blood on the ice that workers had to clean during the break.

A replay showed Santos-Griswold’s skate blade inadvertently cut Sellier’s face as the trio fell. Overhead photos showed Sellier with blood covering the left side of her face as she was stretchered out. 

The TV broadcast noted Sellier did appear to give a thumbs up as she was taken away. 

Polish officials said Sellier’s eye was OK. She received stitches at the arena before going to the hospital for more tests.

During the delay, an official came over to tell Santos-Griswold that she had been penalized and would not be allowed to compete when the race resumed. 

The American skater was visibly shocked at the decision, as were the commentators on the U.S. feed because a replay hadn’t been shown. 

“I don’t know what happened,” one commentator remarked. “We’re often puzzled in this sport by decisions. We just saw one we can’t explain.”

After the quarterfinal heat resumed and finished, details about the penalties were finally announced. 

The official said that there was an “end of straight – illegal late pass” by Santos-Griswold, along with Sellier, against the Italian skater. Both Santos-Griswold and Sellier received a penalty.