USA's Jeremy Abbott "torn apart" by Sochi performance

USA figure skater Jeremy Abbott has lamented his performance during the men's short program in the team event at the Winter Olympics in Sochi on Thursday.

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The 28-year-old could only collect four points for his country after falling on his opening quadruple jump and sliding into the boards.

"I'm torn apart that I couldn't do this for my team and my teammates," the Washington Post quotes him as saying. "I love being a part of Team USA, and I'm so honoured to be skating with the kids I'm skating with.

"They really have become like family over the last couple weeks, and I really wanted to pull out a win."

Russia currently lead the inaugural figure skating team event, with Canada and China in second and third respectively.