Olympic speed skater rushed to hospital
Olympic Crash in Women’s 1500m
An illegal move during the women’s 1500-meter short-track quarterfinal at the 2026 Winter Olympics led to a frightening crash.
Poland’s Kamila Sellier fell after contact with Team USA’s Kristen Santos-Griswold, who lost balance during what officials called an “illegal lane pass.”
Chain Reaction and Injury
The fall caused a chain reaction, bringing down Italy’s Arianna Fontana and Santos-Griswold. During the crash,
Sellier suffered a serious facial injury from a skate blade. The mood inside the arena quickly shifted from competition to concern as medical teams rushed onto the ice.
Race Stopped and Penalty Issued
Officials halted the race and reviewed the incident. Judges ruled that Santos-Griswold had violated passing rules and disqualified her from advancing to the semifinals.
Safety Concerns Highlighted
Sellier was treated on site and taken for further evaluation. The incident was a stark reminder of the risks in short-track speed skating,
where high speeds and tight racing can lead to dramatic consequences.
