Chinese Gymnast Zhou Yaqin Seen Helping Out At Parents' Restaurant In Her Olympic Uniform
Serving dishes, not just perfect flips.
By Celine Low — 19 Aug 2024, 06:18 PM
Winning a silver medal at the Olympics might earn most athletes some well-deserved downtime, but not for Chinese gymnast Zhou Yaqin!
The 18-year-old Olympian was recently spotted back in her hometown in Hengyang City, Hunan Province, lending a hand at her parents' bustling restaurant, while still proudly sporting her Olympics uniform.
The silver medallist's father told local media that she has been helping at the restaurant with preparing ingredients, cleaning up, and serving dishes to customers since she returned from Paris.
Zhou's father said his business has been packed with fans hoping to catch a glimpse of his Olympian daughter
"People have been calling me, asking if I'm Zhou Yaqin's father," he shared with local media.
And he hasn't been shy about showing off his daughter's achievements. The restaurant walls are adorned with photos of Zhou in action during competitions, along with her medals, creating a mini shrine to her success.
"I'm so proud of my daughter," her father beamed. "I've hung photos of her all over the restaurant."
Zhou's father and mother standing in front of photo frames of their daughter.
Image via @ 衡阳日报 (Douyin)What's more heartwarming is that the restaurant was actually closed on the day Zhou was set to compete in the women's balance beam finals at the Paris Olympics on 5 August.
The notice below reads, "There's an exciting event today. Our store will be closed for the second half of the day on 5 August and will resume operations as usual on 6 August. My daughter, Zhou Yaqin will be participating in the balance beam finals at the Paris Olympics from 6.30pm to 7.30pm. All neighbours and customers are welcome to watch the live broadcast at Wanshou Square."
Zhou's family also put up a poster outside the restaurant to celebrate her achievements.
Plus, they also proudly displayed a long, red banner which reads, "Congratulations to Zhou Yaqin on winning runner-up at the Paris Olympics."
Amused netizens also reveled in Zhou's Olympic success, praising her down-to-earth attitude as well as her family's support
"Forget an Olympic silver medal, if my child even wins a silver medal in the county, I would definitely hold a three-day banquet," one user quipped.
"An Olympic champion personally serving me food?" an amused netizen pondered.
One comment summed it up perfectly, "No matter how successful you are, you still have to help with the housework when you get home."
