German Shorttracker Lisa Eckstein Heads to World Championships After Training Accident

Eckstein, injured during a collision in training, will compete in Beijing with facial wounds stitched just days before the event.

Lisa Eckstein, Germany's top shorttrack speed skater, suffered facial injuries during a training accident in Dresden last week.
The 23-year-old collided with a teammate's skate, resulting in deep cuts to her right cheek and ear, requiring a total of 11 stitches.
Despite the injuries, Eckstein has traveled to Beijing and plans to compete in the Shorttrack World Championships starting Friday.
The accident has raised concerns about safety standards in the sport, as athletes' faces remain largely unprotected during both training and competition.
Eckstein has declined the use of a full-face visor, stating it is not an option for her at this time, and remains optimistic about her performance.