China's Figure Skaters Under Probe After Holding Prop Weapon at Event
The International Skating Union are conducting an investigation following a pair of Chinese figure skaters appeared with an object resembling a toy ballistic missile at a grand prix figure skating event.
Television footage showed 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” area on Saturday.
This model represents a new China-produced land-based long-range weapon capable of carrying nuclear weapons, which was displayed during a national ceremony recently.
Officials is aware that an inappropriate plush item seems to have been one of the objects thrown on to the rink by audience members after a performance at the ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix Cup of China event,” the organization stated via a release.
The item was subsequently held by the skaters after their performance. We apologizes for this occurrence and will look into it more deeply.”
The duo placed in eighth place out of ten teams in the ice dance event, which was won by the American pair of the United States.
