Chinese Figure Skaters Under Investigation After Holding Toy Missile at Competition
ISU officials are conducting an investigation following a pair of Chinese figure skaters were seen with an object resembling a toy ballistic missile during a grand prix figure skating event.
Broadcast video captured Ren Junfei and Xing Jianing sitting with a sizable prop in the form of a missile marked “DF-61” as they awaited the judges' results in the “kiss and cry” area during the event.
The DF-61 represents a recently introduced Chinese-made ground-launched long-range weapon capable of transporting atomic warheads, that had been displayed during a national ceremony recently.
“The ISU is aware of an unsuitable plush item appears to have been among those tossed onto the ice by audience members following a routine during the competition,” the ISU commented in an emailed statement.
“The soft toy was then handled by the athletes after their performance. We regrets the incident and will look into it more deeply.”
The duo finished in eighth place of 10 pairs in the ice dance event, which was won by the American pair from the US.
