United States males's determine skater Vincent Zhou examined optimistic for COVID-19 on the Beijing Olympics and might be unable to compete within the upcoming occasions.
"Olympic silver medalist Vincent Zhou introduced tonight that he might be unable to compete within the males's competitors on the 2022 Olympic Winter Video games on account of testing optimistic for COVID-19," a U.S. Determine Skating mentioned in a press release.
Zhou posted a five-minute video to Instagram Monday breaking the information he will not be competing within the upcoming particular person skating occasions.
"It appears fairly unreal that of all of the folks, it might occur to myself," he mentioned as he spoke on to the digicam in what gave the impression to be a lodge room.
"That is not simply because I am nonetheless processing this flip of occasions but in addition as a result of I've been doing all the things in my energy to remain freed from COVID because the begin of the pandemic. I've taken all of the precautions I can. I've remoted myself a lot that the loneliness I've felt the final month or two has been crushing at instances."
Zhou initially examined optimistic Sunday, the identical day he competed his free skate program for the staff occasion serving to the USA win the silver medal. Zhou was set to compete within the males's quick program Tuesday however pulled out following one other optimistic end result.
"I've already misplaced depend of the variety of instances I've cried at the moment," he mentioned. "However I am blissful to say that not less than a type of instances was blissful tears. That was once I discovered that I grew to become an Olympic silver medalist."
Zhou added it was "at all times his dream to medal on an Olympic stage," and greater than something he simply needed to have the ability to skate. "If I did not love this I would not nonetheless be doing it. And I do know I like this."
There are issues he might unfold it to his teammates. Throughout Sunday's competitors, he was round nearly the complete U.S. Olympic staff together with males, girls, pairs and ice dance groups.
Following Zhou's withdrawal from the competitors, Staff USA males's determine skating staff will solely have Nathan Chen and Jason Brown left to compete. An alternate won't be allowed to take Zhou's place as he withdrew too far into the competitors.
The 2 time Olympian ended the video saying he was humbled and grateful to name himself an Olympic silver medalist and hopes to signify Staff USA within the upcoming world championships.
Replace 2/7/2022 12:45 p.m. ET: This story has been up to date to incorporate extra background details about Zhou.
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