Chinese Ice Dancers Under Probe After Displaying Toy Missile during Event
The International Skating Union have launched a formal inquiry following two Chinese figure skaters appeared holding what looked like a replica weapon during a grand prix figure skating event.
Television footage captured the skaters sitting with a sizable prop shaped like a missile marked “DF-61” while waiting for the judges' results in the “kiss and cry” zone during the event.
The DF-61 is a new Chinese-made ground-launched long-range weapon designed for carrying nuclear weapons, that had been unveiled during a national ceremony last month.
“The ISU have acknowledged of an unsuitable plush item seems to have been among those thrown on to the ice by spectators following a performance during the competition,” the ISU commented via a release.
The item was subsequently held by the skaters who had just performed. We apologizes for this occurrence and will look into it more deeply.”
Ren and Xing placed eighth out of ten teams in the ice dance event, which was won by the American pair of the United States.
