“Was on the Verge of..”: US Star Vincent Zhou Opens Up on Mental Health Issues Post Beijing Olympics Setback

For American figure skater Vincent Zhou, life has been far from fair. We could only imagine the avalanche of emotions he might have felt being so close to his Olympic dream and yet wasn’t able to touch it. Years and years of preparation, countless hours in practice, unheard sacrifices, all accounting for nothing. Covid-19 took away a very special opportunity of his career, and there was nothing he could have done to make it right.

However, when Vincent Zhou made up his mind to take part in the World Figure Skating Championship, he made sure he got his redemption. Winning a bronze medal in Paris surely would have brought him some comfort. It was just the thing he needed after an unfortunate Beijing Winter Olympics.

Post-Olympics Vincent Zhou was in depression

Just at the eleventh hour, figure skater Vincent Zhou had to withdraw from the individual event at the Beijing Olympics. The reason was his positive covid-19 report. Seeing his Olympic dream shattered to pieces, it was very hard for him to cope with the situation. Vincent said, “I was struggling very much after the Olympics both physically and mentally.” 

Sharing his terrible experience post-Olympics, he further added, “I was not being able to train properly. The mental destruction that followed after what happened at the Olympics made it very difficult for me to just get going. I was on the verge of depression. I knew if I had a bad result at Worlds it could make things much worse. “

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Going into the World Championships was the best decision ever

Now that Vincent looks back, he is grateful for not missing a wonderful opportunity such as the world championships. In a way, that bronze medal was far more special than any victory he has ever had in his figure skating career. It was a moment of glory after a long episode of unfortunate mishappenings.

Since the Beijing Winter Olympics is behind him and he is in a good place now, maybe he wants to plan for his future in figure skating. Vincent is a remarkable young talent, and there is a lot he can offer to the sport.

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