China's Ice Dancers Face Probe After Holding Prop Weapon during Event
ISU officials are conducting an investigation following two Chinese figure skaters appeared with an object resembling a toy ballistic missile at an international skating competition.
Television footage showed the skaters sitting alongside a sizable prop shaped like a missile labeled “DF-61” as they awaited the judges' results in the “kiss and cry” area during the event.
This model represents a recently introduced China-produced land-based long-range weapon capable of carrying nuclear weapons, that had been unveiled at a military parade recently.
“The ISU have acknowledged that an inappropriate plush item appears to have been one of the objects tossed onto the ice by spectators following a performance at the ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix Cup of China event,” the organization commented via a release.
The item was then handled by the skaters who had just performed. We regrets this occurrence and will investigate further.”
The duo finished eighth out of ten teams during the ice dancing competition, which was won by Madison Chock and Evan Bates of the United States.
