China's Ice Dancers Under Investigation Following Holding Prop Weapon during Competition
The International Skating Union have launched an investigation following two Chinese ice dancers appeared holding what looked like a replica weapon at a grand prix figure skating event.
Television footage captured the skaters waiting with a sizable prop shaped like a rocket labeled “DF-61” as they awaited the judges' results at the “kiss and cry” area on Saturday.
This model represents a new China-produced land-based long-range weapon designed for transporting atomic warheads, that had been unveiled at a military parade last month.
“The ISU have acknowledged that an inappropriate soft toy appears to have been one of the objects thrown on to the rink by spectators after a performance at the ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix Cup of China event,” the ISU stated via a release.
The item was then handled by the athletes after their performance. The ISU apologizes for the incident and will look into it more deeply.”
Ren and Xing finished eighth out of ten teams in the ice dance event, which was won by the American pair from the US.
