Olympian Sends ‘Love and Hugs’ to Skater After Face Injury During Race
Polish Olympic speed skater Kamila Sellier is sharing an encouraging message with American Kristen Santos-Griswold following an incident where Santos-Griswold accidentally cut Sellier’s face with her blade during a race at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
“Hello everyone, I’ve noticed that @kristensantos has been inundated with messages holding her accountable for the accident. I kindly urge you not to blame her,” Sellier, 25, posted via her Instagram story on Sunday, February 22. “What occurred was no one’s fault. This is just part of our sport — it comes with risks, and I’m fully aware of them each time I take to the ice.”
She added, “Please keep in mind that accidents can happen, and nobody wished for this to happen. Let’s uplift each other rather than blame anyone. Let’s opt for kindness over negativity.”
The incident transpired during the women’s 1500m event on Friday, February 20, when Sellier collided with Santos-Griswold, 31, on the ice. As they fell, Santos-Griswold’s blade struck Sellier’s eye in a shocking moment that turned bloody.
After receiving medical attention, Sellier was carried off the ice on a stretcher. She gave a thumbs-up to the surprised onlookers as she exited.
Santos-Griswold received a penalty for an illegal lane pass that contributed to the incident, disqualifying her from the competition.
“@kristensantos I’m sending you lots of love and hugs,” Sellier posted on Sunday. “I know this is a tough time for you as well.”
Santos-Griswold expressed her gratitude for Sellier’s message on her own Instagram account, reposting Sellier’s words and thanking her for her kindness.
“Kamila, your compassion and strength mean more than I can express,” Santos-Griswold wrote. “The moment I realized that she had sustained a cut from my blade, I went straight to her to check on her. That’s the respect we share as competitors and as individuals. I would never intentionally harm her, and I’m incredibly thankful for her kindness and understanding.”
She concluded, “Short track is fast and unpredictable. We all recognize the risks each time we hit the ice. Thank you for reiterating this and for showing grace in a challenging situation.”
The American finished her message by wishing Sellier a swift recovery.
“Honored to share the ice with you,” she wrote. “Wishing you all the best and a quick recovery.”
Sellier appears to be in good spirits as she recovers from her injury, sharing an update from the hospital in a post on Saturday, February 21. In the photo, Sellier is seen smiling in a hospital bed, donning a hospital gown and making a heart gesture with her thumb and index finger.
“Someday, I’ll look back at this picture and remember that I’m stronger than I ever thought,” Sellier wrote on Instagram alongside a hospital selfie. “Thank you for all your supportive messages.”
She continued, “[I] just wanted to assure you that I’m doing quite well.”
