Recently, Zhou Yang, who has left the arena, has returned to the public eye in another way.
She served as a torchbearer at the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics, explained the game with Wang Meng, filmed various funny strips, and shared her isolated life with fans... The fragments of these different scenes are connected together to present a completely different Zhou Yang to everyone.
Once, she was the little sister hiding behind Wang Meng, who won two gold in the first Winter Olympics; after Wang Meng retired, she carried the Chinese short track speed skating banner to continue the honor of her predecessors.
At this year's Beijing Winter Olympics, Wang Meng and Zhou Yang once again joined hands to bring unique commentary to the audience. Recently, in a conversation with Sino-Singapore Sports, Zhou Yang said bluntly: "Watching others play is more nervous than playing on the court yourself." ”
Nowadays, without the heavy task of the game, Zhou Yang has more time to do what he wants to do. She wants to use this time to enrich herself, and in the future, she wants to make more people fall in love with short track speed skating through her own strength.
Zhongxin Sports: Recently, everyone has been very concerned about the epidemic situation in Jilin. How did you pass the time during home isolation? Will you continue to exercise?
Zhou Yang: My personality is relatively slow, and at home I basically read books, listen to songs, and exercise when I am fine. I hope I can be in good shape and start better in the spring when the flowers are blooming.
Although we athletes have retired, if we are idle, our bodies will be uncomfortable, so we will maintain the habit of exercising.
Infographic: Sochi Winter Olympics, Zhou Yang defended the women's short track speed skating 1500 meters champion. Photo by Tomita
"Gemini's" friendship
Sino-Singapore Sports: During the Winter Olympics, you and Wang Meng explained the game together. Watching others play and play on your own, which makes you more nervous?
Zhou Yang: The commentary game will be more tense. I played on my own, and when the starting gun sounded, I would think about tactics and how to slip. But watching your teammates play, you know when to overtake, but you don't know what he thinks and wants him to win the championship, so it's going to be more nervous.
Zhongxin Sports: A few days ago, Wang Meng explained a women's football match, did you see it?
Zhou Yang: Yes. I really don't know much about football, watching Wang Meng's commentary, I also want to learn a little sports in addition to short track speed skating.
Zhongxin Sports: Before you sang 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 actually resonate with me. What touched me more deeply was the sentence: "In my life, I have experienced the most bloody scene, which is the national anthem on the podium and the whole audience standing up." "And then with the music, goosebumps all went up.
I think Wang Meng sang very well. It feels like everything she does is the "ceiling", just like the saying goes - "the old king who will be strong in life".
Data chart: In the women's 1500m short track speed skating event of the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, China's Zhou Yang finally won the first place in the group B final and missed the medal. The picture shows Zhou Yang in the final of Group B. Photo by Cui Nan, a reporter from China News Service
A special Winter Olympics experience
Sino-Singapore Sports: How does it feel to be a 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 able to serve as a representative of the post-90s generation and participate in the Beijing Winter Olympics at the opening ceremony. When you feel the atmosphere of the scene, you feel very excited.
Sino-Singapore Sports: Looking at the hard-working Winter Olympic athletes, will you miss the days when you were on the field?
Zhou Yang: Now when you see the previous video of the game, you will feel as if you have returned to that time. My athletic career has been a particularly rare experience. Although there are lows, people around you are willing to help you. Along the way, for better or worse, there are people to accompany you. Now everyone is retired, but they still care about each other.
Zhongxin Sports: How did you get discovered by coaches when you were a child? Are you a very naughty child?
Zhou Yang: When I was a child, I ran very fast in school, and when the coach selected the team members, he asked me if I wanted to learn to skate. It was summer, and I started out learning roller skating, which I thought was fun and I loved it. It has persisted until now.
When I was a child, I was "a child". There are cabinets in the house and I love to climb high. Once upon a time, my mother bought chocolate and only let me eat two pieces a day, and put the rest on top of the cabinet. When she wasn't there, I climbed up and got it.
Data chart: On the evening of February 4, the opening ceremony of the XXIV 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 Cui Nan, a reporter from China News Service
Zhongxin Sports: Many netizens are concerned about your injuries. How should professional athletes overcome the effects of injuries?
Zhou Yang: As long as you have a goal in mind, you will think of overcoming all difficulties. Injury is an athlete's medal and the only way to success.
Zhongxin Sports: Many parents are now willing to send their children to learn short track speed skating. Do you have any advice for these children?
Zhou Yang: First of all, we must cultivate interest. If you don't like the sport, you may not have any good development in the future. From amateur to professional, to the national team, is a very difficult process, depending on how parents guide, as well as the child's own ideas.
Zhongxin Sports: Can you reveal the next work plan?
Zhou Yang: Now I am a teacher at university. I still hope to do my job well, promote short track speed skating through my own strength, and let more people know about the sport.
(Sino-Singapore Sports)