Chinese Figure Skaters Under Probe After Displaying Toy Missile at Event
ISU officials are conducting an investigation following two Chinese ice dancers appeared holding what looked like a toy ballistic missile during an international skating competition.
Television video captured Ren Junfei and Xing Jianing sitting alongside a large toy in the form of a rocket labeled “DF-61” as they awaited the judges' results in the “kiss and cry” area on Saturday.
This model represents a recently introduced China-produced ground-launched long-range weapon designed for carrying nuclear weapons, which was unveiled at a military parade recently.
“The ISU is aware of an unsuitable soft toy appears to have been one of the objects thrown on to the rink by audience members following a routine at the ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix Cup of China event,” the ISU stated via a release.
“The soft toy was then held by the athletes after their performance. We apologizes for the incident and will investigate further.”
The duo finished in eighth place of 10 pairs during the ice dancing competition, with the victory going to the American pair from the US.