Chinese Figure Skaters Face Probe After Displaying Prop Weapon at Event
The International Skating Union are conducting a formal inquiry following two Chinese ice dancers appeared holding what looked like a toy ballistic missile during an international skating competition.
Television video showed the skaters waiting with a large toy in the form of a missile labeled “DF-61” while waiting for their scores at the “kiss and cry” zone during the event.
The DF-61 represents a recently introduced China-produced land-based intercontinental ballistic missile designed for carrying nuclear weapons, which was displayed during a national ceremony last month.
Officials have acknowledged of an unsuitable plush item appears to have been among those tossed onto the rink by audience members after a performance during the competition,” the ISU stated via a release.
“The soft toy was then held by the athletes who had just performed. We apologizes for the incident and will look into it more deeply.”
Ren and Xing placed in eighth place out of ten teams during the ice dancing competition, with the victory going to the American pair of the United States.