By Philip Hersh
The International Skating Union has decided to allow Olympic bronze medalist Joannie Rochette of Canada to perform an exhibition tribute to her late mother at an unsanctioned competition Thursday in Connecticut.
That decision comes in the wake of criticism over the ISU's unwillingness to bend its rules.
Michael Slipchuk, high performance director of Skate Canada, sent a Tuesday email to concerned parties with the ISU's decision. Here is its text, from a copy obtained by the Chicago Tribune:
"The ISU has agreed to relax ISU rule 136 for Joannie, due to the unique and extenuating circumstances of this particular request, and allow her participation in an exhibition number only (not a competition) at MGM Grand at Foxwoods, USA.
"Therefore, Skate Canada has also granted a sanction for her participation in this event."
Photo: Joannie Rochette looks heavenward to acknowledge her mother, Therese, who died five days before Rochette won the 2010 Olympic bronze medal. (Ivan Sekretarev/Associated Press)
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