22 February,2010 08:14 AM IST | | AFP
Six-time Canadian figure skating champion Joannie Rochette will pursue her Olympic dream despite being dealt a devastating blow yesterday with the death of her mother just two days before she is due to compete.
The world silver-medallist took to the ice for practise at the Pacific Coliseum just hours after 55-year-old Therese Rochette died of a heart attack at Vancouver General Hospital.
"I wasn't expecting to see her and skating well," said Skate Canada CEO William Thompson.
"But being able to stick with her plan, practising and competing is giving her some stability in a very uncertain time for her."
He said: "At the moment she intends to stay in the Village. That is probably the best choice. "She's a very well trained, high performing athlete. We're taking it one step at a time. Whatever she needs we will provide her with."
The 24-year-old is Canada's best hope of a first gold in women's figure skating.
