Zhang brings hope to China's speed skating
Updated: 2014-02-14 09:49
(Xinhua)
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China's Zhang Hong waves during the women's 1,000 metres speed skating race at the Adler Arena during the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics February 13, 2014. [Photo/Agencies] |
"Actually I am not in good form. I caught a cold yesterday and I didn't tell my coaches. They did a lot for me and I don't want to disappoint them," said Zhang.
The cheerful girl had been a short track skater for seven years before switching to speed skating in 2008.
"People said the two sports have a lot in common, but for me, I felt I had learned speed skating from zero. And I had to forget all the old habits," she said.
Zhang hailed teammate Wang Beixing in the post-race press conference. Wang, bronze medalist of the women's 500m at the Vancouver 2010, failed to make the podium at Sochi.
"We are good friends," said Zhang, "She helped me a lot when I started speed skating. She is like my sister."
Zhang had decided to leave Sochi on Friday but now she has to change her flight.
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