China's Figure Skaters Under Investigation Following Displaying Toy Missile at Competition
ISU officials have launched a formal inquiry following two Chinese ice dancers were seen with what looked like a replica weapon at an international skating competition.
Broadcast video showed Ren Junfei and Xing Jianing sitting with a large toy in the form of a rocket marked “DF-61” as they awaited the judges' results at the “kiss and cry” area during the event.
This model is a new Chinese-made land-based intercontinental ballistic missile capable of carrying nuclear weapons, which was unveiled at a military parade last month.
Officials is aware of an unsuitable plush item appears to have been among those tossed onto the ice by spectators following a performance at the ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix Cup of China event,” the ISU stated in an emailed statement.
The item was subsequently handled by the skaters after their performance. We regrets the incident and will look into it more deeply.”
The duo placed in eighth place out of ten teams during the ice dancing competition, which was won by the American pair from the US.
