Chinese Ice Dancers Face Investigation Following Displaying Toy Missile during Event
The International Skating Union are conducting a formal inquiry after a pair of Chinese figure skaters were seen with what looked like a replica weapon during a grand prix figure skating event.
Television footage captured Ren Junfei and Xing Jianing sitting with a sizable prop 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 represents a recently introduced China-produced ground-launched intercontinental ballistic missile capable of transporting atomic warheads, that had been displayed during a national ceremony last month.
“The ISU have acknowledged of an unsuitable soft toy appears to have been one of the objects thrown on to the rink by spectators after a performance during the competition,” the ISU commented via a release.
“The soft toy was then handled by the skaters after their performance. We regrets the incident and will look into it more deeply.”
Ren and Xing finished in eighth place out of ten teams in the ice dance event, with the victory going to the American pair from the US.
