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Beijing Winter Olympics 2022
SportChina

Winter Olympics: China’s US-born figure skater Zhu Yi falls again, cries during routine as online abuse intensifies – ‘I couldn’t hold it back’

  • The 19-year-old stumbles twice more during her free skate routine at Beijing 2022, finishing last in the event
  • Teammate Jin Boyang jumps to her defence, while former Global Times editor Hu Xijin condemns cyberbullying on Chinese social media platform Weibo

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China’s Zhu Yi cries during her performance in the women’s team figure skating competition at the Capital Indoor Stadium during the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games. Photo: Peter Kneffel/dpa
Jack Lau

China’s US-born figure skater Zhu Yi burst into tears on the ice after stumbling twice during her latest Winter Olympics routine, as online criticism of the 19-year-old intensified.

Zhu was subjected to abuse on Chinese social media platform Weibo after she tumbled and crashed into the wall during Sunday’s women’s short programme team event.

She finished last again during Monday’s free skate event, with a score of 91.41, and many users on the Twitter-like Weibo chided her for crying, pointing out that all competitors at the Olympics face pressure.

Zhu Yi of China falls during the team event’s women’s single free skating. Photo: Xinhua/Zhang Yuwei
Zhu Yi of China falls during the team event’s women’s single free skating. Photo: Xinhua/Zhang Yuwei

“I was very emotional during the routine and wanted to cry. I couldn’t hold it back, and the tears came flowing,” Zhu told China News Service, after another disappointing routine.

“All of that is in the past,” she added. “I hope I can adjust myself and compete well in my singles event.”

Zhu’s Olympic campaign will continue on February 15, when she competes in the women’s single short programme.

If she ends the day ranked among the top 24 skaters, she will skate again on February 17 in the women’s free skating event.

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