The most inspiring face of the 2010 Winter Olympics will be missing from the World Figure Skating Championships this year.

Joannie Rochette, who had the world on her side as she competed just days after her mother died suddenly in Vancouver of a heart attack, has decided to opt out of the World Championships, where she won the silver medal last year.

Rochette said grieving over her mother’s passing has left her without enough time to prepare mentally and physically for the competition, which is being held in Turin, Italy.

“That means I’m not prepared either emotionally or physically to skate well at these championships and challenge for the podium,” Rochette said in a statement Monday, publishing by CTV.ca. “Whenever I compete I want to give my best to the fans and to respect my competitive nature of the sport.

“I just would not be able to do that for either the fans or myself next week.”

Rochette had wanted to perform in a made-for-TV figure skating special, but the International Skating Union would sanction her for performing in an exhibition instead of the World Championships, according to her agent.

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