Chinese Ice Dancers Under Probe After Holding Prop Weapon during Competition
ISU officials have launched a formal inquiry after a pair of Chinese ice dancers appeared with what looked like a toy ballistic missile at a grand prix figure skating event.
Television video showed the skaters sitting alongside a sizable prop in the form of a rocket marked “DF-61” as they awaited the judges' results at the “kiss and cry” zone on Saturday.
This model is a new Chinese-made land-based long-range weapon designed for transporting atomic warheads, that had been displayed during a national ceremony recently.
“The ISU is aware that an inappropriate plush item seems to have been one of the objects thrown on to the ice by spectators after a performance at the ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix Cup of China event,” the ISU stated in an emailed statement.
The item was then handled by the athletes after their performance. The ISU regrets this occurrence and will investigate further.”
The duo finished eighth of 10 pairs during the ice dancing competition, with the victory going to the American pair of the United States.
