Kim Yu-na of South Korea and Mao Asada of Japan skated excellent short programs Tuesday night. The rivals finished first and second respectively. But Canada's Joannie Rochette stole the show. According to the Associated Press, her mother Therese died Sunday from a massive heart attack at age 55, just a few hours after arriving in Vancouver. Just two days later, Rochette took to the ice and channeled her emotion into a near-prefect performance. She is currently in third place. After she finished, the stands erupted with cheers of support. I don't think there was a dry eye in the Pacific Coliseum. Even the commentators' voices cracked with emotion. Millions have been touched by her story and have thrown their support behind the home country favorite. So no matter where Rochette finishes after the free skate Thursday night, her story will be the stuff of Olympic legend for years to come. (Photo: AP; Joannie Rochette reacts after performing her short program at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver.)
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