Polish speed skater Kamila Sellier has appeared on television in her home country for the first time since sustaining a devastating eye injury at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.
The athlete was stretchered from the ice with blood covering her face following a terrifying collision during the women's 1500m short-track event, broadcast live to viewers worldwide.
Sellier had previously shared updates with supporters during her recovery but deliberately only revealed what she described as "the good side" of her face in photographs.
Now feeling sufficiently recovered, she chose to appear on the Polish morning programme Dzień Dobry TVN, displaying a small scar while discussing the traumatic incident that left her requiring delicate orbital bone surgery.
Speaking about her ongoing medical challenges, Sellier revealed the extent of her injuries.
"I have a titanium mesh placed in the eye socket under my eye. I also still have a broken bone under my eyebrow," she explained.
The most significant difficulty she faces is impaired vision in certain positions.
Polish speed skater Kamila Sellier has appeared on television in her home country for the first time since sustaining a devastating eye injury at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics
|X
"The biggest discomfort is that I see double when I look up, and sometimes also when I look down," she added.
Despite these lasting effects, the skater expressed unwavering resolve.
"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," she declared, crediting the support of family and well-wishers from across the globe for helping her maintain a positive outlook.
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
Kamila Sellier was left bloodied after the incident last month
|GETTY
Her husband, Diané Sellier, had been watching the race unfold but initially failed to recognise the severity of what had happened to his wife.
"Later, when I saw the replay, I saw that the wound was open. That shocked me. I felt terrible," he recounted.
"I called the team, the coach, and everyone who was there as quickly as possible. Everyone was in shock."
Sellier acknowledged the overwhelming support she has received during 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.
"My whole family is behind me, but also people all over the world. I have received so many positive messages from everyone."
Kamila Sellier had previously been hiding her face
|The collision occurred at the Milano Ice Skating Arena when Sellier became entangled with Italy's Arianna Fontana, a 15-time Olympic medallist, and American competitor Kristen Santos-Griswold.
Medical staff rushed onto the ice as the race was halted, with a large white sheet erected to shield the injured athlete from spectators who had filled the venue for the final evening of short-track competition.
As she was wheeled from the arena on a stretcher, Sellier managed to give a thumbs-up to the crowd, though workers were left to clean a trail of blood from the track's final corner.
Santos-Griswold subsequently received a penalty for an illegal lane change that contributed to the incident, eliminating her from the quarter-final round.