Chinese Figure Skaters Under Probe After Displaying Toy Missile during Event
The International Skating Union have launched an investigation after a pair of Chinese ice dancers appeared holding what looked like a toy ballistic missile during an international skating competition.
Television video showed the skaters sitting alongside a large toy shaped like a missile marked “DF-61” while waiting for their scores at the “kiss and cry” zone during the event.
The DF-61 represents a new China-produced land-based intercontinental ballistic missile designed for carrying nuclear weapons, that had been unveiled during a national ceremony recently.
“The ISU have acknowledged of an unsuitable soft toy appears to have been one of the objects tossed onto the rink by spectators after a routine at the ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix Cup of China event,” the organization stated via a release.
The item was then handled by the skaters after their performance. The ISU regrets the incident and will investigate further.”
The duo placed eighth out of ten teams during the ice dancing competition, which was won by Madison Chock and Evan Bates of the United States.
