Thaindian News

By Meena Kar
Vancouver, Feb 27, (THAINDIAN NEWS) Joannie Rochette, the Ice figure skater from Canada took the icy floor on Friday and won the bronze medal in spite of the personal grief that had hit her just few days before her final show down at Vancouver. Joannie Rochette lost her mother last Sunday but decided to compete still at Vancouver Olympic and represent her nation.

According to reports, Joannie Rochette’s mother died of a sudden heart attack. It is said reportedly that she had no prior heart ailment and that she was very optimistic about her daughter’s win at the Olympic Games. She was Joannie Rochette’s constant support and inspiration, which has helped the figure skater to win many games and make her mother proud. Joannie Rochette’s mother had collapsed just after reaching the Vancouver Winter games venue to watch her daughter perform.

On 25th February, Joannie Rochette’s brilliantly controlled moves amazed the audience and the judges. Her performance at the figure skating was, according to the commentators, the best of hers till now. As she skated round the stadium, it seemed that she was determined to pay her mother the last tribute by winning the gold. Though Kim Yu-Na made it to the gold, Joannie Rochette’s performance got no fewer accolade from the audience.

For the athlete herself, it was the toughest time. She had told that she had to constantly remind herself that on floor she is an athlete and not “Joannie the person”. She has also reportedly said that she felt her mother’s presence with her during her final performance on Friday.