Tragic News came to Canadian Olympic Figure Skater Joannie Rochette Sunday morning at the Olympic Village in Vancouver at the Winter 2010 Olympic Games, as her father and coach told her that her Mother Passed Away. Therese Rochette, aged 55 years old, died early Sunday morning, from a Massive Heart Attack after flying to see her daughter Joannie compete for a Gold Medal in Figure Skating, the Women’s Singles Event.
The Tragic News
Joannie received the news that her mother had died early Sunday morning on February 21, 2010 at the Olympic Village in downtown Vancouver from her father Normand and her Coach, Manon Perron. Nonetheless, Joannie decided quickly that day that she would go on with her dream to capture the Gold Medal. Of course, that is what her mother would have wanted.
A Determined Decision
Sunday afternoon, Joannie was scheduled to practice at the Olympic arena with media there to take pictures and interview the athletes. It’s hard to believe that she showed up under the conditions of sadness and sorrow that she was feeling. To perform at an Olympic Level requires extreme focus and precision and any distractions and emotions could be very detrimental to the performance. But Joannie got through it and faced the public with Amazing Perseverance.
Perfect Positioning
Joannie is now skating an amazing program at the Olympics. She placed 3rd Place in the Women’s Short Program, which gives her a shot for the Gold Medal at the Main Event. She is 7 Points behind Yu-Na Kim of South Korea, which is a very big lead, but she is also 7 Points in front of the 4th Place Position which gives her a great shot to get t the podium for an Olympic Medal.
A Transcending Inspiration
Joannie is an Inspiration to Athletes all over the World for her Dedication to her sport and Perseverance through a Heartbreaking Moment . Millions of people will be watching her Thursday Night at the Women’s Single Program and some say that her Mother will also be there with a Special Connection to her daughter Joannie.
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