Polish speed skater Kamila Sellier, who suffered a dramatic accident during the Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, has been discharged from the hospital. The sportswoman, whose face was cut by a competitor's skate, will return to Poland by ground transport. This event dominated the summary of the concluding Games, during which the Polish team grappled with health issues and regulatory controversies.

Kamila Sellier Returns to Home Country

The Polish speed skater left the hospital after a serious facial injury and is returning to Poland by ground transport.

Dominance of Johannes Klaebo

The Norwegian king of cross-country skiing won six medals, becoming the biggest star of the event.

Disqualifications and Scandals

Representatives from Russia and Israel were excluded from the competitions for unsportsmanlike conduct and attempts at cheating.

Record Viewership on TVP

Despite the mixed fortunes of the athletes, broadcasts from Milan attracted a record audience to television screens.

The conclusion of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo was marked by good news regarding the health of Kamila Sellier. The Polish athlete, who was the victim of one of the most dangerous incidents at this year's Olympics, has officially left the Italian medical facility. Due to the nature of her injuries and doctors' recommendations, Sellier could not return to her home country by air transport with the rest of the team; instead, she is continuing her journey to Poland by car. The competitor who caused the incident publicly apologized to the Polish athlete, which resonated widely in sports media. Beyond the dramatic events on the ice, the Games brought a series of controversies related to the participation of athletes from Russia and Israel. Daria Niepriajewa was disqualified after an incident involving the taking of a German athlete's skis, which sparked a wave of criticism towards the Russian team. Meanwhile, the situation of athletes from Israel stirred emotions due to start quota limitations in some disciplines, which prevented some athletes from participating in the competitions despite earlier qualification hopes. In the medal standings, the Norwegian Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo proved unbeatable, winning more gold medals single-handedly than the entire Polish team. The 2026 Winter Olympics are taking place exactly 20 years after the Turin Games, marking the second event of this caliber organized by Italy in the 21st century. The tradition of winter competitions dates back to 1924, when the first Winter Sports Week was held in Chamonix, later recognized as the inaugural Winter Olympics. Despite a smaller medal haul, the Ministry of Sport and Tourism positively summarized the Poles' performances, highlighting the potential of the younger generation. However, Marian Kmita tempers these voices, pointing to the need for systemic changes in training. Meanwhile, fans in the country were excited by the record-breaking viewership of broadcasts on TVP channels, confirming the undiminished interest in winter sports despite the lack of spectacular medal successes in some disciplines. 6 — medals won by Johannes Klaebo at the 2026 Games

Mentioned People

  • Kamila Sellier — Polish speed skater who suffered a serious accident during a short track competition.
  • Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo — Norwegian multi-medalist at the Games, winner of six medals in cross-country skiing.
  • Marian Kmita — Head of sport at Polsat, commenting on the condition of Polish winter sports.