Chinese Ice Dancers Under Investigation Following Holding Toy Missile during Competition
The International Skating Union have launched a formal inquiry after a pair of Chinese figure skaters appeared with an object resembling a toy ballistic missile during a grand prix figure skating event.
Television footage captured the skaters sitting with a sizable prop in the form of a rocket marked “DF-61” while waiting for their scores in the “kiss and cry” zone on Saturday.
The DF-61 represents a new China-produced ground-launched intercontinental ballistic missile capable of carrying nuclear weapons, that had been displayed at a military parade last month.
“The ISU is aware that an inappropriate plush item seems to have been one of the objects tossed onto the rink by spectators following a performance at the ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix Cup of China event,” the organization stated in an emailed statement.
“The soft toy was then handled by the athletes who had just performed. The ISU apologizes for this occurrence and will look into it more deeply.”
Ren and Xing placed in eighth place out of ten teams during the ice dancing competition, which was won by the American pair of the United States.