Zhang brings hope to China's speed skating

China's Zhang Hong waves during the women's 1,000 metres speed skating race at the Adler Arena during the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics February 13, 2014. [Photo/Agencies]

"Actually I am not in good form. I caught a cold yesterday and I didn't tell my coaches. They did a lot for me and I don't want to disappoint them," said Zhang.

The cheerful girl had been a short track skater for seven years before switching to speed skating in 2008.

"People said the two sports have a lot in common, but for me, I felt I had learned speed skating from zero. And I had to forget all the old habits," she said.

Zhang hailed teammate Wang Beixing in the post-race press conference. Wang, bronze medalist of the women's 500m at the Vancouver 2010, failed to make the podium at Sochi.

"We are good friends," said Zhang, "She helped me a lot when I started speed skating. She is like my sister."

Zhang had decided to leave Sochi on Friday but now she has to change her flight.