Canadian Figure Skating star's mother dies

[pam]

VANCOUVER (AFP) The mother of Canadian figure skating star Joannie Rochette died Sunday, two days before Rochette is to begin competition.

Only hours after learning of her mother's sudden death, Rochette was back on the ice Sunday trying to prepare for the Olympics.

Canadian figure skating star's mother dies | NBC Olympics | Olympic Zone

This is so sad. It would be nice to see her win the gold in honor of her mother.

[Wingnut]

I just watched her free skate tonight. A few of her landings were slightly off, but it was a beautiful and emotional performance. Scott Hamilton was choked up by the end of it.

[Jenamarie]

I just watched her free skate tonight. A few of her landings were slightly off, but it was a beautiful and emotional performance. Scott Hamilton was choked up by the end of it.

He was choked up at the end of her short program too, which got ME choked up. And oh my gosh her face... It was like as soon as the last note to her music cut off her "performance" mask dropped and you saw the grieving daughter that had been hiding just below the surface. Her courage is amazing.

[Wingnut]

I didn't watch the short programs. I was at Cheesecake Factory with some girlfriends celebrating a 30th birthday (not mine), and didn't bother to turn them on when I got home.

[Cassiopeia]

It's these wonderful people like her that really put into perspective, how life really can be so hard and yet she shows us the courage and I'm sure her mother is watching her with pride and helping her along the way.

[Jenamarie]

I didn't watch the short programs. I was at Cheesecake Factory with some girlfriends celebrating a 30th birthday (not mine), and didn't bother to turn them on when I got home.

Here it is. :)

Video | Emotional Rochette in 3rd after SP | NBC Olympics

[Wingnut]

Joannie finally breaks her silence

[Bini]

I think everyone felt some degree of sadness when hearing the news and then watching her skate.

But I'm proud of her for pressing forward despite such a tragedy. I believe that our loved ones that have passed on, want us to continue living and to achieve the goals we've set out for ourselves. I think it would be a greater tragedy to drop-out or quit something because of grief alone. At least for myself, I would have a lot of regret and feel like I disappointed my mum if I chose to sit it out because I know that she'd want me out there doing my best, regardless of how hard it is.

[Wingnut]

Yeah, in the article I linked above, Joannie says something to the effect of not dropping out because in 10 years, she didn't want to regret having done it and letting her mom down.

[Lbybug]

she changed her program from the original because she didn't feel it was appropriate after her mum died. so she changed her performance to one her mum loved watching instead. :)

[pam]

She is an amazingly strong young woman.