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.