Received on June 9th 2010 from:

http://www.asapsports.com/show_conference.php?id=64085

Dan Loiselle: Ladies and gentlemen, our special guest today is Canadian figure skating champion Joannie Rochette. Her outstanding presence on the ice immediately captures your attention. Dynamic, powerful and magical are words that describe her. Following her performance in this year's Vancouver Olympics, we can add the word 'courageous'. Taking up figure skating at the age of six, she has skyrocketed to stardom. She's the reigning world figure skating silver medalist, she is the six-time Canadian champion, and winner of the bronze medal at this year's Olympic Games in Vancouver. 
Two days before the beginning of the ladies' figure skating competition at the Winter Olympics, her mother died of a heart attack shortly after arriving in Vancouver to watch her daughter compete. 
Under incredible circumstances, Rochette, who few thought would even take to the ice, didn't just compete, she delivered. She didn't just attempt, she soared. She didn't just inspire us with her determination, she thrilled us with her grace, poise and ability. She became a Canadian legend, winning the bronze medal and capturing the hearts of a nation. Very fittingly, Joannie was chosen as the flag bearer for the 2010 closing ceremonies. 
If I could direct your attention to the television monitors throughout the room, we have a short video presentation. 

(Video Shown.)

DAN LOISELLE: Please welcome Joannie Rochette. 
JOANNIE ROCHETTE: Thank you. Thank you very much. 
DAN LOISELLE: I couldn't watch it. I turned into a puddle. You flew in from Montréal this morning. I understand you had a bit of a celebration in your hometown last night. Tell us about that. 
JOANNIE ROCHETTE: Yeah, it was great to finally see people from where I'm from. I saw them at the funeral, but I wasn't in a great place at the funeral. Being together with my family, friends, a girl from the skating club where I started to skate. It was really inspiring for me for them to be being inspired by me. It was fun to be with them, have time to rest. 
I was away doing shows for a while. I got back from Korea two days ago. It felt good to settle down and be with my people. 
DAN LOISELLE: Tell us about your first set of skates. 
JOANNIE ROCHETTE: My first set of skates was actually two blade skates that you put onto your boots so it's easier for balance. I was actually 22 months old. My father was a hockey coach. When he took me to the ice, I was very, very young. 
I live on an island. We used to go ice fishing in the winter. So my father thought it was cool sometimes. He would take the snow away so I could skate on the pond and I would check the lines at the same time. 
DAN LOISELLE: When you first heard of your mother's passing, were there any immediate thoughts, like, I can't compete? What went through your mind when you heard about your mom? 
JOANNIE ROCHETTE: There were maybe four or five people around me when they announced me the news. My first reaction was to say, Tell everyone I'm going to skate, tell it to the press, then there was no way I could back down. Of course, there were some moments where I told myself, Okay, what am I doing here? I just want to go back home.
At the same time 'home' felt right in Vancouver because my mother's body was there, my family was there to cheer me up. So I also wanted to do this for my father who was there to support me. I wanted to prove to him that I could do it, all those years he's been behind me. If I couldn't do it for myself, I could do it for them, too. Great to have so many people support me there, too. 
In the end, I felt such a good feeling of completion to just having done that. 
DAN LOISELLE: Tell us about your mother a little. What were her dreams? What did you learn from her? How was your relationship with your mom? 
JOANNIE ROCHETTE: Well, I think every mother wants the best for their child. Ever since I started to skate, she would always push me to my abilities, to my talents so I could always go for my dreams. She always said, When you start something, you need to finish it. I'm glad she did that because I became the person I am today because of her.
It's pretty hard to accept that she left without me having the time to say bye to her. But at the same time she's still part of my life because she gave me so much and I still feel her influence and her voice in whatever I do. I still hear her comments. She was pretty tough sometimes. But very dynamic lady. I can still hear her comments in whatever I do, Don't do that, do this. It's great I got to know her so much.
DAN LOISELLE: The short program is about to begin. You skate onto the ice. The world is watching. What is going through your mind as the short program starts? 
JOANNIE ROCHETTE: Actually usually the short program is the more nerve-wracking program for me because you only have three jumping elements and you can't mess up otherwise you can be from third to tenth if you make a small mistake. That's always the hardest for me. At that time I wasn't so nervous for the skating, I was more nervous to get to my starting position in the required one minute, keep my emotions in and be able to get there. Once the music starts, you did it so many times in practice, it kind of gets automatic, you don't have to think. 
It was pretty tough. But I got to my place before the one minute and everything went good. I didn't think about anything while I started. 
DAN LOISELLE: Third after the short program. Two days later, the free skate. You have a chance to medal. You must have felt in Pacific Coliseum the love in the building. Everybody rooting for you to do well, not only Canada, but the world. Could you recognize that electricity in the building on free skate afternoon? 
JOANNIE ROCHETTE: Yes, of course. I was a bit more aware of everything. I mean, during the short program, there was so much emotion when I got out there that it didn't really sink in. But for the free skate, I was a bit more aware of the situation, that I was at the Olympics and it really hit me there. Usually I'm more confident on the free skate when I have a good place in the short because it's more about endurance. I know I can do those tricks at the end of the program. So I'm a bit more confident. 
At the same time, you're at the Olympics, you have a shot to make your dream happen, to be on the podium. It really hit me there. I felt a bit more pressure, but at the same time so much encouragement from people. So many letters I got from people. 
DAN LOISELLE: Speaking of letters, you must have gotten hundreds of emails and phone calls. Was there one in particular that stood out for you among the many emails you received? 
JOANNIE ROCHETTE: Well, actually there was one special phone call from Celine Dion, who is my favorite singer. I was so impressed, I couldn't believe she was on the phone. 
DAN LOISELLE: She lost her father as well. 
JOANNIE ROCHETTE: She lost her father and she told me she had to perform the same night her father died. That was inspiring to hear. Also a little girl, she was eight years old at the time, she wrote to me, a figure skater. We knew her through my coach. She lost her mother. Her mother was only 35. She had to skate the next weekend. The last sentence of her letter was, If I can do it, you can do this. That was very inspiring to me that someone so young could really have that courage. It inspired me to skate. All those moments when I wanted to go home, I inspired myself on that. 
DAN LOISELLE: Besides winning the bronze medal, what was the favorite experience? 
JOANNIE ROCHETTE: The hockey team winning at the end, I was there to see it, pretty exciting. Also I was very honored and flattered to be chosen as the flag bearer. That was a great moment. I wanted to live everything fully while I was there because I know my mother was watching and that's what she want would want me to do. 
DAN LOISELLE: How has your life changed since Vancouver? 
JOANNIE ROCHETTE: Just a little bit more busy. I don't have so much time for my boyfriend anymore. He's coming with me to some events. Other than that, it's different to be recognized on the streets of Montréal openly. It's great.
Just for example, I was walking in the street the other day, I started to pet a cat. The owner of the cat came out and says, This is Joannie Rochette, let's take a picture. 
At the same time it's very great. People are nice and respect my private life, too. 
DAN LOISELLE: What are you doing now and what are you about to do in the near future? 
JOANNIE ROCHETTE: I did some shows right now. I'm trying to keep skating for the next four years. I don't know if it will be amateur or professionally. I want to finish school. One more class. It's taken me seven years. But I started it, I'm going to finish it next year finally. Maybe this summer comes the race. I've never seen horse racing before. It's really getting me excited to be here today. 
DAN LOISELLE: I don't think I'm telling you anything you don't know. The way you handled yourself with such grace, dignity, the courage you showed, you're an absolutely amazing person. We are so proud to call you a Canadian and thanks for taking the time in joining us today. 
JOANNIE ROCHETTE: Thank you very much. It's an honor for me to be here.