Canadian Joannie Rochette plans to skate after mother’s death

About seven hours after learning her mother had died unexpectedly, Canadian figure skater Joannie Rochette, the reigning world silver medalist, showed her resolve to compete in the Olympics as planned by coming to her scheduled Sunday afternoon practice at the Pacific Coliseum.

“Joannie is a very courageous person,” said her teammate Cynthia Phaneuf. “Just to be there at practice, I was very impressed. She is going to get through this.

“I think she is doing the right thing. She isn’t going to get any better in her room. Just being there shows how strong a person she is. It shows she is someone to look up to.”

Canadian figure skating officials confirmed before the practice Rochette intends to remain in the women’s singles event, which begins with Tuesday’s short program and ends with the free skate Thursday.

“Skating is so much emotion,” two-time Olympic medalist Michelle Kwan said. “I worry that it will be too much for her to handle.”

Therese Rochette, 55, died early Sunday morning at a Vancouver hospital, only hours after she and her husband, Normand, had arrived in Vancouver. Joannie Rochette is an only child.

Normand Rochette and the skater’s longtime coach, Manon Perron, gave her the news about 6 a.m. at the Olympic Village. Her father then came to practice.

-- Philip Hersh

Shani Davis reflects

Shani Davis was classy in defeat, paying tribute to 1,500-meter gold medalist, Dutch speedskater Mark Tuitert late Saturday night.

“Today, I crowned him the king of speedskating,” said Davis, who won the silver. “To me, the 1,500 is a kings race.”

Davis talked about how he has changed since 2006.

“I guess my attitude and my feelings aren’t as they were back four years ago,” he said. “I’m extremely satisfied with my accomplishments and I love the fact that I can honestly tell you that I’m extremely happy.”

He continued on his line of thinking on what Vancouver meant to his career.

“I really wanted to win the 1,500 meters,” Davis said. “I guess, in the long scheme of things, maybe this is going to keep me with the sport another four years in order to try to compete for that king’s title again.

“I mean, I really want that title so badly. It’s OK. I’ll take the defender title for now since I was able to defend the 1,000. I want to be the king. I guess it’s going to carry over for another four years.”

-- Lisa Dillman

Curling

A tough day for the U.S. teams.

The women’s team got hammered by undefeated Canada, 9-2, in the morning, then lost, 9-3, to Sweden at night. The U.S. is 2-5 and most assuredly out of medal contention.

On the men’s side, Britain rallied to beat the U.S., 4-2. The U.S. is 2-5 and out of the medal chase.

Biathlon

Magdalena Neuner of Germany won the women’s 12.5-kilometer mass start for her second gold medal at the Games. Olga Zaitseva of Russia won the silver and Simone Hauswald picked up the bronze. On the men’s side, Evgeny Ustyugov became the first Russian since 1994 to win a gold biathlon medal. Martin Fourcade of France got the silver and Pavol Hurajt the bronze.

Hockey

Earlier, Russia earned a bye into the quarterfinal of the men’s tournament with a 4-2 victory over the Czech Republic. Evgeni Malkin scored two goals for Russia. Sweden played Finland in the late game.

-- John Cherwa