DENVER—Olympic bronze medalist Joannie Rochette will be allowed to perform an exhibition program in tribute to her mother, Canadian figure skating officials said Tuesday.
Rochette wanted to perform Celine Dion’s “Vole” at the end of Friday night’s “Thin Ice,” a made-for-TV show to be broadcast live by ABC. But the event isn’t sanctioned by the International Skating Union, putting the Canadian in conflict with an ISU rule that prohibits skaters from withdrawing from championships and then performing in exhibitions around the same time.
“We appreciate the ISU worked with us to find a solution for this situation,” William Thompson, Skate Canada’s CEO, said in a statement. “They have agreed to relax (the rule) … due to the unique and extenuating circumstances of this particular request. We want to thank the ISU for their consideration and understanding in reviewing this in light of Joannie’s situation.”
The world championships begin Tuesday in Turin, Italy. Rochette announced Monday she would not compete, saying she is not prepared physically or mentally after the last few weeks. Therese Rochette, 55, died of a heart attack just four days before her daughter won the bronze medal at the Vancouver Olympics.
Rochette skated to “Vole” at the Vancouver gala—Dion’s song is in memory of her niece who died of cystic fibrosis and the program was a favorite of Rochette’s mother.
Rochette is expected to return to the ice in April, when she joins “Stars on Ice” for its first four shows. The tour opens April 1 in Fort Myers, Fla., and Rochette also will skate in Fort Lauderdale, Orlando and Tampa.
