Chinese Figure Skaters Under Probe After Holding Prop Weapon at Event
The International Skating Union have launched an investigation following two Chinese ice dancers appeared holding what looked like a replica weapon during an international skating competition.
Television video captured the skaters sitting alongside a large toy in the form of a missile labeled “DF-61” as they awaited the judges' results in the “kiss and cry” zone during the event.
The DF-61 is a recently introduced Chinese-made land-based long-range weapon capable of carrying nuclear weapons, which was displayed during a national ceremony recently.
“The ISU is aware of an unsuitable plush item seems to have been among those thrown on to the rink by audience members after a routine at the ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix Cup of China event,” the ISU stated via a release.
“The soft toy was subsequently held by the athletes after their performance. 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.
