China's Ice Dancers Face Investigation After Holding Prop Weapon during Competition
ISU officials have launched a formal inquiry following two Chinese figure skaters appeared with an object resembling a toy ballistic missile at a grand prix figure skating event.
Broadcast footage showed the skaters sitting alongside a sizable prop in the form of a rocket labeled “DF-61” as they awaited the judges' results at the “kiss and cry” zone on Saturday.
The DF-61 represents a new Chinese-made land-based intercontinental ballistic missile capable of transporting atomic warheads, that had been unveiled at a military parade recently.
Officials have acknowledged that an inappropriate plush item seems to have been among those tossed onto the ice by spectators after a performance at the ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix Cup of China event,” the organization stated in an emailed statement.
The item was then handled by the athletes who had just performed. We apologizes for the incident and will look into it more deeply.”
Ren and Xing finished eighth out of ten teams in the ice dance event, with the victory going to the American pair from the US.
