Chinese Figure Skaters Under Investigation Following Holding Toy Missile during Event
ISU officials are conducting a formal inquiry following two Chinese ice dancers appeared with what looked like a toy ballistic missile at an international skating competition.
Television footage captured Ren Junfei and Xing Jianing sitting with a sizable prop in the form of a rocket labeled “DF-61” as they awaited the judges' results in the “kiss and cry” zone during the event.
The DF-61 represents a new Chinese-made ground-launched intercontinental ballistic missile designed for transporting atomic warheads, that had been displayed during a national ceremony last month.
“The ISU have acknowledged of an unsuitable plush item appears to have been among those thrown on to the rink by spectators following a routine at the ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix Cup of China event,” the organization commented in an emailed statement.
The item was subsequently handled by the skaters after their performance. The ISU apologizes for this occurrence and will investigate further.”
The duo finished in eighth place out of ten teams in the ice dance event, with the victory going to Madison Chock and Evan Bates of the United States.