Chinese Ice Dancers Under Probe Following Holding Toy Missile at Event
ISU officials are conducting a formal inquiry following two Chinese figure skaters 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 rocket labeled “DF-61” as they awaited their scores at the “kiss and cry” zone on Saturday.
The DF-61 represents a new China-produced land-based long-range weapon designed for transporting atomic warheads, which was displayed at a military parade last month.
Officials have acknowledged of an unsuitable plush item appears to have been among those thrown on to the ice by spectators following a routine during the competition,” the ISU stated via a release.
“The soft toy was subsequently handled by the athletes who had just performed. We apologizes for the incident and will look into it more deeply.”
The duo placed in eighth place of 10 pairs during the ice dancing competition, with the victory going to the American pair from the US.
