Recently, Zhou Yang, who has left the arena, has returned to the public eye in another way.
She served as the torchbearer at the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics, explained the competition with Wang Meng, filmed various funny jokes, and shared her isolation life with fans... The fragments of these different scenes are connected together, presenting a completely different scene to everyone. Zhou Yang.
Once, she was the little sister hiding behind Wang Meng, and she won two gold medals in the first Winter Olympics; after Wang Meng retired, she carried the banner of China's short track speed skating and continued the honor of her predecessors.
In this year's Beijing Winter Olympics, Wang Meng and Zhou Yang joined hands again to bring a unique commentary to the audience.
In a recent conversation with China-Singapore Sports, Zhou Yang said bluntly: "Watching others play is more nervous than playing on the court."
Now, without the heavy competition tasks, Zhou Yang has more time to do what he wants to do.
She wants to use this time to enrich herself. In the future, she wants to use her strength to make more people fall in love with short track speed skating.
Anti-epidemic things
China-Singapore Sports: Recently, everyone is very concerned about the epidemic situation in Jilin. How did you pass the time during home quarantine? Will you continue to exercise the habit?
Zhou Yang: I have a slow personality. At home, I basically read books, listen to songs, and exercise when I have nothing to do.
I hope that I can be in a good state and start better when the spring flowers bloom.
Although our athletes have retired, if they are idle all the time, they will feel uncomfortable, so they will maintain the habit of exercising.
Zhongxin Sports: You posted a video of an antigen self-test before, and you used a long cotton swab to poke your nose. How did you feel?
Zhou Yang: When I talk about this topic, my nostrils are enlarged, and I feel very transparent and sour.
The first time I did it was in the hospital, and when I saw others do it before, I was quite scared; when it was my turn, I kept ducking back, with my head against the wall behind.
It felt like the nurse stabbed me in the back of the head at once.
Later, when I did it myself, I could control the depth, and I felt quite accurate in my heart.
China-Singapore Sports: How long have you been quarantined at home? What is the one thing you most want to do after the lockdown is lifted?
Zhou Yang: I have been quarantined for more than a month according to the epidemic prevention regulations.
I want to use this time to enrich myself. I have been busy with work before, and I don't have much time to study and read books.
After the lockdown is lifted, the first thing to do is to get a haircut, and then go to the park for a long lap to feel the air outside.
Data map: At the Sochi Winter Olympics, Zhou Yang defended the women's short track speed skating 1500m champion.
Photo by Tomita
"Gemini" friendship
China-Singapore Sports: During the Winter Olympics, you and Wang Meng explained the game together.
Watching others play or playing yourself, which one makes you more nervous?
Zhou Yang: The commentary game will be more tense.
I go on the court by myself, and when the starting shot goes off, I think about tactics and how to slide.
But watching your teammates play, you know when you want to surpass, but you don't know what he thinks, and you want him to win the championship, so you will be more nervous.
China-Singapore Sports: A few days ago, Wang Meng explained a women's football match. Have you watched it?
Zhou Yang: Yes.
I really don't know much about football. After watching Wang Meng's explanation, I also wanted to learn some sports other than short track speed skating.
Zhongxin Sports: Before you covered Wang Meng's new song, how long did you practice? What do you think of this song?
Zhou Yang: I studied for about an hour or two.
The lyrics of this song really resonated with me.
What touched me more deeply was the sentence: "The most bloody scene I have ever experienced in my life was when the national anthem was played on the podium and the audience stood up." Then with the music, goosebumps arose.
I think Wang Meng sings very well.
It feels that everything she does is "ceiling", just like that sentence - "Pharaoh who is stronger in his life".
Data map: In the women's 1500m short track speed skating event at the PyeongChang Winter Olympics, Chinese athlete Zhou Yang finally won the first place in the Group B final and missed the medal.
The picture shows Zhou Yang in the Group B final.
Photo by China News Agency reporter Cui Nan
A special Winter Olympics experience
China-Singapore Sports: How does it feel to be the torchbearer at the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics?
Zhou Yang: Thank you very much for your recognition and expectation of me.
It is a great honor to be a representative of the post-90s generation and participate in the Beijing Winter Olympics at the opening ceremony.
When I felt the atmosphere of the scene, I felt very excited.
China-Singapore Sports: Looking at the hard-working Winter Olympic athletes, do you miss the days when you were on the field?
Zhou Yang: Now that I see the video of the previous games, I feel as if I went back to that time.
My athletic career has been a particularly rare experience.
Although there are downs and downs, people around you are willing to help you.
Along the way, no matter how good or bad, there are people who will accompany you.
Now that everyone is retired, they still care about each other.
China-Singapore Sports: How were you discovered by the coach as a child? Are you a naughty child?
Zhou Yang: When I was a child, I held sports meetings. I ran very fast in school. When the coach selected players, he asked me if I wanted to learn ice skating.
It was summer, and I started to learn roller skating. I thought it was fun, and I liked it very much.
It has persisted until now.
When I was a kid, I was "squiggly".
There are cabinets at home, and I love to climb high.
My mother used to buy chocolate and only let me eat two pieces a day, and put the rest on the top of the cabinet.
When she wasn't around, I climbed up to get it.
Data map: On the evening of February 4, the opening ceremony of the 24th Winter Olympic Games was held at the Beijing National Stadium.
The picture shows Zhou Yang (right) passing the torch at the opening ceremony.
Photo by China News Agency reporter Cui Nan
China-Singapore Sports: Many netizens are concerned about your injury. How should professional athletes overcome the impact of injuries?
Zhou Yang: As long as you have a goal in your heart, you will think about overcoming all difficulties.
Injuries are an athlete's medal and the only way to success.
China-Singapore Sports: Now many parents are willing to send their children to learn short track speed skating. Do you have any advice for these kids?
Zhou Yang: First of all, we must cultivate interest.
If you don't like this sport, there may not be any good development in the future.
From amateur to professional, and then to the national team, it is a very difficult process, depending on how parents guide, and the children's own ideas.
China-Singapore Sports: Can you disclose the next work plan?
Zhou Yang: Now I am a teacher at the university.
I still hope to do my job well, promote short track speed skating through my own strength, and let more people know about this sport.
(Reporter Xing Rui Gao Meng Lang Lang)