China's Ice Dancers Face Investigation After Holding Toy Missile during Competition
ISU officials have launched a formal inquiry after a pair of Chinese figure skaters were seen with an object resembling a toy ballistic missile at an international skating competition.
Broadcast video showed Ren Junfei and Xing Jianing waiting alongside a large toy in the form of a missile marked “DF-61” as they awaited the judges' results in the “kiss and cry” area during the event.
The DF-61 represents a new China-produced ground-launched intercontinental ballistic missile designed for carrying nuclear weapons, that had been displayed during a national ceremony recently.
“The ISU is aware of an unsuitable plush item appears to have been among those tossed onto the rink by audience members following a routine at the ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix Cup of China event,” the organization commented via a release.
The item was then handled by the skaters who had just performed. We apologizes for this occurrence and will investigate further.”
Ren and Xing placed in eighth place of 10 pairs during the ice dancing competition, with the victory going to Madison Chock and Evan Bates of the United States.
