China's Figure Skaters Under Investigation Following Displaying Prop Weapon at Competition
The International Skating Union have launched an investigation after a pair of Chinese figure skaters appeared with an object resembling a toy ballistic missile during an international skating competition.
Broadcast footage captured the skaters sitting alongside a large toy shaped like a missile marked “DF-61” while waiting for the judges' results at the “kiss and cry” zone on Saturday.
This model is a new China-produced land-based intercontinental ballistic missile capable of transporting atomic warheads, which was unveiled during a national ceremony recently.
“The ISU have acknowledged of an unsuitable soft toy seems to have been one of the objects tossed onto the ice by audience members following a routine during the competition,” the ISU commented in an emailed statement.
“The soft toy was subsequently handled by the skaters who had just performed. The ISU apologizes for this occurrence and will look into it more deeply.”
The duo placed eighth of 10 pairs during the ice dancing competition, which was won by the American pair from the US.
