Top skater seeks empathy for Zhu

Jin said he believed Zhu was grappling with too much stress.

"I fully understand her position. I have been there, too," he said.

"She's under huge pressure as China's last performer in the team event short program and the sole skater in (China's) women's figure skating, especially after her selection over two other women.

"The Olympic Winter Games is the opportunity of a lifetime for every competitor. Hopefully, we can gain strength from the fact that we've gone all out and made history and leave the frustration of past errors behind us. The show must go on."

China eventually edged into the second phase of the free skating team event with 22 points in total thanks to two-time world title-winning pair Sui Wenjing's and Han Cong's top-finish performance.

The country was in third place on Friday after the men's, pairs short programs and the ice dancing rhythm dance. Following the men's free skate, China ranked fifth among five finalists.

ROC was in the lead with 45 points, followed by the US with 42, Japan with 39 and Canada with 30. Georgia, which had 22 points, was narrowly pushed to sixth place due to fewer leading performances in each discipline.

The figure skating competitions at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games are set to see the first gold medal in team events today with the women's and pairs free skate and the ice dancing free dance team event.