China's Figure Skaters Under Investigation After Holding Prop Weapon at Event
The International Skating Union are conducting a formal inquiry following a pair of Chinese ice dancers appeared with what looked like a toy ballistic missile at a grand prix figure skating event.
Television footage captured Ren Junfei and Xing Jianing sitting alongside a large toy in the form of a rocket labeled “DF-61” while waiting for the judges' results at the “kiss and cry” zone during the event.
The DF-61 represents a new Chinese-made land-based intercontinental ballistic missile designed for carrying nuclear weapons, that had been unveiled at a military parade last month.
“The ISU have acknowledged of an unsuitable plush item appears to have been one of the objects thrown on to the rink by spectators after a performance during the competition,” the organization stated in an emailed statement.
“The soft toy was subsequently held by the skaters after their performance. We apologizes for the incident and will look into it more deeply.”
The duo placed eighth out of ten teams during the ice dancing competition, with the victory going to Madison Chock and Evan Bates of the United States.
