Chinese Ice Dancers Under Investigation Following Displaying Toy Missile at Competition
ISU officials have launched a formal inquiry after two Chinese figure skaters appeared with an object resembling a toy ballistic missile at a grand prix figure skating event.
Television video captured Ren Junfei and Xing Jianing waiting with a large toy in the form of a missile marked “DF-61” as they awaited the judges' results in the “kiss and cry” area on Saturday.
This model represents a recently introduced China-produced land-based intercontinental ballistic missile designed for carrying nuclear weapons, that had been displayed at a military parade recently.
“The ISU have acknowledged of an unsuitable plush item appears to have been among those thrown on to the rink by audience members after a performance at the ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix Cup of China event,” the organization commented via a release.
The item was then handled by the skaters after their performance. We apologizes for the incident and will look into it more deeply.”
Ren and Xing finished eighth of 10 pairs during the ice dancing competition, with the victory going to Madison Chock and Evan Bates of the United States.
