China's Figure Skaters Under Investigation After Displaying Prop Weapon at Event
ISU officials are conducting an investigation following two Chinese ice dancers appeared with an object resembling a toy ballistic missile at a grand prix figure skating event.
Broadcast video showed Ren Junfei and Xing Jianing waiting alongside a large toy shaped like a missile marked “DF-61” as they awaited the judges' results in the “kiss and cry” zone on Saturday.
The DF-61 represents a new Chinese-made land-based long-range weapon designed for carrying nuclear weapons, that had been unveiled at a military parade recently.
Officials have acknowledged of an unsuitable plush item appears to have been among those tossed onto the rink by spectators following a performance during the competition,” the organization stated in an emailed statement.
“The soft toy was then handled by the athletes after their performance. The ISU regrets this occurrence and will look into it more deeply.”
Ren and Xing finished in eighth place out of ten teams during the ice dancing competition, which was won by the American pair from the US.
