Chinese Ice Dancers Face Probe Following Displaying Toy Missile during Competition
The International Skating Union have launched a formal inquiry after two Chinese figure skaters appeared with an object resembling a toy ballistic missile during a grand prix figure skating event.
Television video showed the skaters waiting alongside a sizable prop in the form of a rocket marked “DF-61” while waiting for their scores in the “kiss and cry” area during the event.
This model represents a recently introduced China-produced land-based intercontinental ballistic missile capable of transporting atomic warheads, that had been displayed during a national ceremony recently.
“The ISU have acknowledged that an inappropriate plush item appears to have been one of the objects thrown on to the rink by spectators following a performance at the ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix Cup of China event,” the ISU stated via a release.
“The soft toy was subsequently handled 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, with the victory going to Madison Chock and Evan Bates of the United States.
