VANCOUVER — Dressed in black, Joannie Rochette wiped her eyes before stepping on the ice.
Early Sunday, Rochette’s mother, Therese, died of a massive heart attack just a few hours after arriving in Vancouver. The Canadian star still plans to skate and was at practice in the afternoon after spending time at the Olympic Village with her father, Normand.
The women’s event begins Tuesday with the short program. Rochette will not speak publicly until she finishes competing, Skate Canada president Benoit Lavoie said.
“Joannie is doing as well as one can expect. It has been an emotional roller coaster for her,” Skate Canada CEO William Thompson said. “She made the decision that she wants to compete and maintain her training schedule. It is providing her with stability in a very uncertain time.”
Added U.S. champion Rachael Flatt: “That’s really hard. I can’t imagine losing your mother, let alone at the Olympics.”
The Associated Press
