Chinese Figure Skaters Face Probe After Holding Prop Weapon at Event
The International Skating Union have launched an investigation after two Chinese figure skaters were seen holding what looked like a replica weapon during a grand prix figure skating event.
Television video showed the skaters sitting alongside a sizable prop in the form of a missile labeled “DF-61” as they awaited the judges' results at the “kiss and cry” zone on Saturday.
The DF-61 represents a recently introduced Chinese-made land-based intercontinental ballistic missile capable of transporting atomic warheads, which was displayed during a national ceremony last month.
“The ISU have acknowledged of an unsuitable soft toy appears to have been one of the objects tossed onto the ice by spectators following a performance during the competition,” the ISU commented via a release.
“The soft toy was then handled by the skaters after their performance. The ISU regrets this occurrence and will look into it more deeply.”
Ren and Xing placed eighth of 10 pairs in the ice dance event, with the victory going to the American pair of the United States.
