Chinese Figure Skaters Face Probe Following Displaying Prop Weapon at Event
ISU officials are conducting a formal inquiry after a pair of Chinese figure skaters appeared holding an object resembling a toy ballistic missile at an international skating competition.
Television video captured the skaters waiting alongside a large toy shaped like a rocket marked “DF-61” while waiting for their scores at the “kiss and cry” zone on Saturday.
This model is a recently introduced Chinese-made ground-launched long-range weapon designed for carrying nuclear weapons, that had been displayed during a national ceremony recently.
Officials is aware of an unsuitable plush item seems to have been among those tossed onto the rink by spectators after a routine at the ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix Cup of China event,” the ISU stated via a release.
The item was then handled by the athletes who had just performed. We apologizes for the incident and will investigate further.”
Ren and Xing placed eighth out of ten teams during the ice dancing competition, which was won by the American pair from the US.
