Chinese Figure Skaters Under Probe Following Displaying Toy Missile at Event
ISU officials have launched a formal inquiry following two Chinese ice dancers appeared with an object resembling a toy ballistic missile during an international skating competition.
Television video captured Ren Junfei and Xing Jianing waiting alongside a large toy in the form of a rocket marked “DF-61” while waiting for the judges' results at the “kiss and cry” zone on Saturday.
The DF-61 is a recently introduced Chinese-made ground-launched intercontinental ballistic missile designed for carrying nuclear weapons, that had been unveiled during a national ceremony last month.
Officials have acknowledged of an unsuitable plush item seems to have been among those thrown on to the rink by audience members after a routine during the competition,” the organization stated in an emailed statement.
The item was subsequently handled by the skaters who had just performed. We regrets the incident and will look into it more deeply.”
The duo placed in eighth place out of ten teams in the ice dance event, with the victory going to Madison Chock and Evan Bates from the US.
