Bouquet...
To the courageous Canadian skating champion Joannie Rochette — a true Olympic hero who conquered the world with a bronze-medal finish under incredibly difficult circumstances.
To achieve a remarkable goal in one’s sport and stare into the bright lights and the cheering crowds of the Olympic Games is an experience far beyond comprehension to most people.
But Rochette’s tear-filled eyes, after her Thursday night skate, were not trained on the lights nor the crowd, but on a man in the stands who wept openly. It was her father.
Together, the two wept in memory of her mother Therese, who died on Sunday from a massive heart attack after arriving in Vancouver to watch her daughter skate.
It was to be the ultimate experience of a mother, to watch her loving child take on the world.
It goes without saying that Olympic athletes face many, many hurdles and setbacks in their pursuit of success. But injuries, losses and disappointments aside, there is no greater hurdle to overcome than the loss of a family member — especially two days before Rochette was to deliver her short program to the world.
It was under these unimaginable, painful circumstances that Rochette skated the skate of her life in memory of her mother on Tuesday, placing third in the short program.
“My mother taught me to be very confident in myself,” Rochette said in an interview after Thursday’s miracle on ice. “My mom was there with me for every step.”
“Triumphant over adversity” is how commentators described the superb bronze-medal performance.
There are many unsung heroes behind the achievements of any child. But, for the most part, it is the unified bond of a loving family that provides that child with a world of confidence. Such was the case with Rochette.
She was cheered endlessly by family from the first time she stood on her skates, and then all the way to Thursday when she stood on the podium in Vancouver with a bronze medal to become the fifth Canadian Olympic medalist in the sport — and the third Canadian medalist in figure skating since 1972.
It was an event that challenged the emotions of Canadians glued to their televisions and computer screens with finger crossed.
At 6 a.m. on Sunday, Rochette’s father broke the tragic news to her of her mother’s death.
On Tuesday, she brought a lump to everyone’s throat when she took to the ice in the short program looking remarkably composed.
After an incredible third-place finish, and when the crowd leapt to their feet in a resounding applause, Rochette finally broke down.
Her right hand was on her heart, and trembling with emotion, the 24-year-old bowed to all corners of the Pacific Coliseum before skating off the ice in tears.
On Thursday, this courageous athlete skated a performance that no doubt had Canadians sitting on the edge of their seats. It was a bronze performance. But in the eyes of Canadians, it was golden.
Rochette has emerged as the top champion in this Winter Olympics. She is a model of inspiration.
“People will remember this for a long time — the story of Joannie Rochette,” a commentator appropriately observed.
Rick Zemanek is an Advocate editor.