China's Figure Skaters Face Investigation After Displaying Prop Weapon during Competition
The International Skating Union have launched an investigation after two Chinese ice dancers appeared with an object resembling a toy ballistic missile during an international skating competition.
Television footage captured the skaters waiting with a sizable prop in the form of a rocket labeled “DF-61” as they awaited their scores in the “kiss and cry” area on Saturday.
This model is a recently introduced China-produced land-based long-range weapon capable of transporting atomic warheads, which was displayed at a military parade recently.
Officials have acknowledged that an inappropriate soft toy seems to have been one of the objects thrown on to the ice by spectators after a performance during the competition,” the organization stated in an emailed statement.
The item was subsequently held by the athletes who had just performed. The ISU apologizes for this occurrence and will investigate further.”
The duo placed in eighth place of 10 pairs in the ice dance event, which was won by Madison Chock and Evan Bates from the US.
