Thaindian News

Mar 17 (Pen Men at Work): Canadian figure skater Joannie Rochette who lost her mother, just two days before the beginning of ladies’ figure skating competition at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver will be appearing on ABC show for a performance to pay tribute to her mom.On February 21, 2010, her mother, Thérèse Rochette, died of a heart attack at Vancouver General Hospital after arriving to watch her compete.

Joannie who won bronze medal at the event is scheduled to skate at a made-for-television exhibition, “Thin Ice,” performing the routine she did at the Olympic Gala, a skate set to her mother’s favorite song. Unfortunately, this event was not sanctioned by the ISU earlier as rule 102 threatens Rochette’s individual eligibility as a skater if she performs at a non-sanctioned event, while a violation of 136 could cause the ISU to place sanctions on Canada’s figure skating governing body. Skating a tribute to her mother for a television audience would have caused both Rochette and her country to be penalized by the ISU. but it seems that finally ISU have allowed Rochette and Joannie Rochette & tribute for her mom will happen.

Rochette who ranks 4th in the world is the 2009 World silver medalist, the 2008 and 2009 Four Continents silver medalist, the 2004 Grand Prix Final bronze medalist, and a six-time (2005–10) Canadian national champion said that her mother was her biggest fan but also very critical of her performance sometimes.

She got emotional during the interviews, and said that she was secure that her mom was with her in spirit.