US skater Vincent Zhou out of weeklong COVID-19 quarantine

American determine skater Vincent Zhou is out of quarantine after testing optimistic for COVID-19 on the Beijing Video games, and he plans to carry out within the exhibition gala that historically closes the Olympic program on Sunday.

Zhou had simply helped the U.S. win crew silver on Feb. 7 when he acquired a telephone name saying that he had examined optimistic. He was instantly whisked away to a quarantine resort about half-hour from the Olympic Village, the place he spent a couple of week locked in his room doing exercises, listening to music and “watching Netflix for the primary time.”

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The timing of the outcome, the day earlier than the lads’s brief program, left him no alternative however to withdraw from the occasion.

“The signs I did have have been actually lighter than your common chilly or flu,” Zhou mentioned. “It felt like a light chilly. I feel the worst factor was most likely a sore throat and a few congestion. Like, that was the worst of it.”

Zhou mentioned he didn’t watch the lads’s program as a result of “it was too emotionally tough,” however he saved observe of the outcomes and was glad to see his teammates carry out properly. Nathan Chen gained the gold medal along with his memorable free skate to Elton John’s “Rocket Man,” whereas Jason Brown completed in a decent sixth place.

“It additionally was tough to see the outcomes as a result of I knew I may medal,” mentioned Zhou, who was fifth on the 2018 Pyeongchang Video games. “I’d been coaching constantly at a degree to attain like that and win a bronze medal. It was a tough day for me.”

There have been some a lot better moments throughout his quarantine interval, together with a supportive message he acquired from singer Josh Groban, who performs the music that Zhou makes use of throughout his free skate.

Zhou nonetheless doesn’t know the way he contracted the virus, particularly given the care he took main as much as competitors. He mentioned he used hand sanitizer by the pint, lived a loner way of life and wore a masks all over the place he went, together with the eating corridor, the place he would slip it again over his mouth in between bites of meals.

“I don’t wish to sound like a damaged file,” he mentioned, “however all the pieces wanting shifting to Antarctica, I’ve taken precautions. I feel it’s simply actually unlucky. A stroke of dangerous luck. I actually don’t know the way I acquired it.”

Zhou will nonetheless depart Beijing with a medal from the crew occasion, although no person is bound which coloration or how he’ll obtain it. The Worldwide Olympic Committee is refusing to carry a medal ceremony after studying that Russian skater Kamila Valieva examined optimistic for a banned substance in December, placing her crew’s gold medal in query.

Valieva was cleared to carry out within the girls’s competitors by the Court docket of Arbitration for Sport, nevertheless it didn’t rule on the total case. The outcomes of a whole investigation, and what it means for the crew occasion, may not be identified for months.

“That’s nonetheless a creating state of affairs and it’s additionally one thing that’s utterly out of my management, and any of the opposite athletes’ management,” Zhou mentioned. “I can’t actually touch upon what’s happening there, however I do hope that Staff USA does obtain our medal ultimately and hopefully it gained’t take, like, 4 years or no matter.”

Zhou additionally acknowledged that “honest play and integrity of the game” are of the utmost significance to him.

“I can simply say I’m proud to have competed clear my whole life,” he mentioned. “It positively is a reasonably stunning and, , scary state of affairs we now have happening right here the place the women — I’d perceive utterly if the women didn’t precisely belief the integrity of the competitors and the equity of all the pieces.”

After performing within the exhibition gala Sunday, Zhou plans to return to the U.S. and put together for the world championships the ultimate week of March in Montpellier, France. He additionally plans to tour with Stars on Ice earlier than resuming his research at Brown College this fall, however he hasn’t determined whether or not to proceed skating competitively for an additional Olympic cycle.

Zhou doesn’t flip 22 till October, which implies a 3rd journey to the Winter Video games is inside the realm of chance.

“I’m simply so impressed by the extent of Olympic efficiency that every one the lads have been capable of deliver out,” he mentioned. “It’s a real honor to have been capable of compete with these unimaginable males this previous season.”