China's Figure Skaters Under Probe After Displaying Prop Weapon at Event
ISU officials have launched a formal inquiry after two Chinese ice dancers appeared holding an object resembling a toy ballistic missile at an international skating competition.
Television footage captured the skaters sitting alongside a large toy in the form of a missile labeled “DF-61” while waiting for their scores at the “kiss and cry” zone on Saturday.
This model is a new Chinese-made land-based long-range weapon capable of carrying nuclear weapons, that had been displayed at a military parade last month.
“The ISU is aware of an unsuitable plush item seems to have been among those tossed onto the rink by audience members after a routine during the competition,” the ISU commented via a release.
The item was then held by the skaters after their performance. We apologizes for this occurrence and will investigate further.”
Ren and Xing placed in eighth place out of ten teams during the ice dancing competition, which was won by the American pair from the US.
