AFP - Canadian figure skater Joannie Rochette, who won a bronze medal at last month's Winter Olympics four days after her mother died, will be allowed to skate a tribute to her mother in a made-for-TV event.

The International Skating Union (ISU) gave permission for Rochette to skate in "Thin Ice" this week at a US casino even though she will not be competing at next week's World Championships, partly over the strain of her mother's death.

"We appreciate that the ISU worked with us to find a solution for this situation," Skate Canada chief executive William Thompson said.

A day after Rochette announced she would not take part in the worlds in Italy, she was given a waiver to a rule aimed at keeping skaters from bolting from ISU events and allowed to pay tribute to Therese Rochette, who died of a heart attack.

"They have agreed to relax ISU (rules) for Joannie in this instance, due to the unique and extenuating circumstances of this particular request," Thompson said.

"We want to thank the ISU for their consideration and understanding in reviewing this in light of Joannie's situation."

Rochette will perform to Celine Dion's "Vole", a programme that was among her mother's favourites, at the exhibition just as she did at the Olympic gala on the final weekend of the Vancouver Games.