Russian dancers make slight changes to costumes

[February 22, 2010]  VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) -- World ice dance champions Oksana Domnina and Maxim Shabalin appear to have made only slight alterations to the costumes for the Aboriginal-themed original dance that has caused such an uproar.

The skin tone of the bodysuits is now flesh-colored, not brown, and some of the white markings appear to have been toned down. But he's still dressed in a loin cloth, and both Russians are covered in leaves and white ropes.

This was just practice Sunday morning, and it's possible Domnina and Shabalin could wear something else for the competition later in the afternoon.

Some Australian Aboriginal leaders have criticized what they say are inauthentic steps and gaudy costumes and call the program a form of cultural theft.

[Associated Press]

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