US figure skater Vincent Zhou has revealed he tested positive for Covid-19, and will not be able to compete in Tuesday’s men’s singles short programme event. The 21-year-old Zhou achieved a childhood dream by becoming an Olympic medallist on Sunday, when the US took silver in the Team Event, where he took part in the men’s singles free skating portion at Beijing’s Capital Indoor Stadium. But the Chinese-American was left an “emotional wreck” after being ruled out from further competition at Beijing 2022. “It seems pretty unreal that of all the people it would happen to myself,” Zhou said in a video posted to his official Instagram account. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Vincent Zhou (@govincentzhou) “I have been doing everything in my power to stay free of Covid since the start of the pandemic. I’ve taken all the precautions I can. “I’ve isolated myself so much that the loneliness I felt in the last month or two has been crushing at times. The enormity of the situation, just the pain of it all, is pretty insane.” Zhu Yi falls again, cries during routine as online criticism intensifies Zhou said he would not let the setback define him as an athlete or a person. “I’m extremely honoured and humbled to call myself an Olympic silver medallist,” he said, in between long pauses and sobs. “It wouldn’t be possible without my superhuman teammates, who are the best in the world at what they do. “I’m sorry that I couldn’t continue this journey with you guys any longer and our paths diverge from here, but it’s for a good cause.” A three-time US national silver medallist, Zhou has already set his sights on March’s Figure Skating World Championships in Montpellier, France. “I will be back stronger and better,” he said. “This is not the end. This is a set up for a bigger comeback.” US Figure Skating confirmed Zhou’s positive Covid-19 test on Monday, after putting out an earlier release saying he was being monitored by medical staff. “I’ve already lost count of the number of times I’ve cried today,” Zhou said. “But I’m happy to say at least one of those times was happy tears. That was when I found out I became an Olympic silver medallist, and I think that wraps things up nicely on a positive note.” Born in San Jose, California to Chinese parents, Zhou started skating at five years old and quickly became a prodigy. “To the future Vincent watching this, your younger self would be so proud of the athlete and person you’ve become now,” he added. “Little eight-year-old you would be asking 21-year-old you for photos and autographs, because you lived out your dreams. “You became the person you always aspired to be, when you were young sitting on the couch watching those great skaters on TV, studying their jumps every night at the dinner table, and waking up at 4am or earlier to go the rink and skate. “You have no idea what you were getting into, but you followed your dream. You made sacrifices and dedicated your life to it. Today you are that person, Vincent. “You made it happen. So be proud of that. Recognise yourself.”