US figure skating star Vincent Zhou says COVID-19 isolation was 'crushing' in emotional video announcing he's out of the Olympics

• Vincent Zhou said COVID-19 isolation can be "crushing" after announcing he is out of the Olympics.
• Zhou tested positive for COVID-19 after helping the US secure the silver medal in the team figure skating event.

Top US figure skater Vincent Zhou said that COVID-19 isolation is "crushing" in an emotional video announcing he is withdrawing from the Beijing Winter Olympics.

"I have tested positive for COVID-19 and unfortunately I will have to withdraw from the individual event," which he was supposed to compete in Tuesday, Zhou said in a video posted to Instagram Monday.

The figure skating star tested positive for COVID-19 just hours after helping the US secure a silver medal in the figure skating team event Sunday.

Zhou said in the video that it is "pretty unreal" that this has happened to him because he has been "doing everything in my power to stay free of COVID."

"I've taken all of the precautions. I've isolated myself so much that the loneliness I have felt over the last month or two has been crushing at times," he said.

He continued: "The enormity of the situation — the pain of it all — is just pretty insane."

Zhou teared up as he spoke to his younger self, saying he "lived out" his dreams. The star vowed to return and said his withdrawal was "a setup for a greater comeback."

"This absolutely does not define me as an athlete, as a person," he said. "I am more than just another positive COVID test."