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Joannie Rochette
Canadian Olympian Performs In Face Of Grief
It was a powerfully emotional night for Canadians in the Pacific Coliseum after Joannie Rochette took the ice Tuesday night in the Olympic women's short-program figure skating less than 3 days after her mother died.
Therese Rochette, 55, died of a heart attack on Sunday, the day after arriving in Vancouver with her husband to watch their daughter compete in the 2010 Olympic Games.
Tears
could be seen on the faces of almost everyone that night as
Rochette put on a graceful performance punctuated by the grief and
emotion on her face.
Rochette took third place in the short program, the first part of the two-portion women's figure skating event, receiving her medal on Thursday.
Before leaving the arena, Rochette, with tears streaming down her face, waved her hand, put it to her heart, and then blew a kiss to the audience leaving a powerful impression on the spectators who shared in her sorrow.
Aava Whistler Hotel would like to extend their deepest sympathies for the Rochette family.
