Polish short-track speed skater Kamila Sellier was immobilised on a stretcher and taken out of the Milano Ice Skating Arena on Friday night after a competitor's blade sliced her below the left eye during the women's 1500m at the Milano Cortina Olympics.
The crash involved 14-time Olympic medalist Arianna Fontana of Italy and American skater Kristen Santos-Griswold, who was penalised for an illegal lane pass that contributed to the accident. The penalty prevented Santos-Griswold from advancing through the quarter-final round.
The race was paused while Sellier received medical attention, with a large white sheet shielding her from the packed crowd. She gave a thumbs up to spectators as she was taken away, leaving a trail of blood in the final corner that workers had to clean up during the break.
Polish officials confirmed Sellier's eye was unharmed. She received stitches at the arena before being taken to hospital for further tests.
Fontana's skinsuit was nicked, and she received physiotherapy on her left hip during the pause. She finished second to Hanne Desmet of Belgium, advancing to the semi-final, and later edged Zhang Chutong at the finish line to reach the final.
Fontana, the reigning Olympic silver medalist in the 1500m, is chasing a tie with Norwegian cross-country skier Marit Bjørgen as the most decorated Winter Olympian, having already won gold in the 2000m mixed relay and silver in the 500m and 3000m relay at these Games.
