Retired Canadian Olympian Joannie Rochette to work at Quebec long-term care homes

Former Canadian figure skater and Olympic medallist Joannie Rochette will be working at Quebec's long-term care homes hit hard by COVID-19.

Rochette, who competed for Canada at the Turin 2006 and Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games — winning an individual bronze at the latter — received her medical degree Friday from McGill University and said she'd be deploying soon.

Rochette, 34, had discussed the end of her studies with The Canadian Press in mid-February, on the 10th anniversary of the Vancouver Olympics.

In response to a message of thanks from Premier Francois Legault, Rochette wrote on her Twitter account Sunday it was only natural to respond to the premier's frequent call for help at short-staffed nursing homes.

WATCH | Joannie Rochette answers call to assist long-term care homes during pandemic:

Olympic medallist Joannie Rochette answers call to assist nursing homes

3 years ago

Duration 3:39

Retired Canadian figure skater Joannie Rochette will be working at Quebec's long-term care homes hit hard by COVID-19. The Olympic medallist received her medical degree Friday from McGill University and said she'd be deploying soon.

"I'm just one of hundreds of graduates to get into the action," Rochette wrote, adding she'd be one of thousands already committed to the COVID-19 fight.

On Saturday, Rochette told French-language all-sports network RDS while she's perhaps a little fearful for her health, she's more afraid about the lack of staff at long-term care homes.

Rochette, of Ile-Dupas, Que., inspired the entire country when she won a medal in Vancouver after her mother Therese, 55, died of a heart attack just two days before the start of the competition.