The Polish speed skater who had her eye slashed by a rival’s blade at the Winter Olympics has bravely made her first media appearance since the accident.
Kamila Sellier was taken off the ice on a stretcher with her face covered in blood after a horrifying accident shown live on TV during the women’s 1500m at the Milan-Cortina Games.
She underwent delicate surgery on the orbital bone and in many ways was fortunate the damage was not worse or life-altering.
Sellier had updated her supporters with her recovery but only showed what she called ‘the good side’ of her face in pictures.
But she has now made an appearance on Polish TV, feeling ready enough to display the small scar and speak about the traumatic incident.
‘Unfortunately, sometimes we get hit in the face by someone else. I will be left with a scar, my vision might be a bit blurry, but I won’t give up.
WARNING: THE BELOW VIDEO CONTAINS GRAPHIC CONTENT
Kamila Sellier, pictured with her husband Diane, went on Polish TV to speak about her recovery
‘It was a serious accident, but I am trying to deal with it positively, especially because I have such amazing people around me,’ she said on Dzień Dobry TVN.
‘My whole family is behind me, but also people all over the world. I have received so many positive messages from everyone.’
Her husband, Diané Sellier, was watching the race but didn’t realize his wife had been hit in the face at the time.
He said: ‘Later, when I saw the replay, I saw that the wound was open. That shocked me. I felt terrible. I called the team, the coach, and everyone who was there as quickly as possible. Everyone was in shock.’
Kamila went on to explain that she is still suffering with impaired vision in certain situations.
‘I have a titanium mesh placed in the eye socket under my eye. I also still have a broken bone under my eyebrow.
‘The biggest discomfort is that I see double when I look up, and sometimes also when I look down,’ she added.
The terrifying crash at the Milano Ice Skating Arena occurred when Sellier crashed with 15-time Olympic medalist Arianna Fontana of Italy and Team USA’s Kristen Santos-Griswold.
Poland’s Sellier was left covered in blood after a rival’s blade sliced her above her eye
She had only shared images covering up the injury on her social media until this week
The race was paused as medics rushed on to the ice to treat Sellier, with a large white sheet blocking her from the view of fans who had packed into the arena to see the final night of short-track speedskating.
The Polish athlete was soon put on a stretcher and wheeled out of the arena. She gave a thumbs-up to the crowd as she was taken away, leaving a trail of blood in the final corner of the track that workers had to clean up during the break.
Santos-Griswold, meanwhile, was penalized for an illegal lane pass that contributed to the accident. That kept her from advancing through the quarterfinal round.
