Chinese Ice Dancers Face Investigation After Displaying Toy Missile during Competition
ISU officials have launched a formal inquiry following a pair of Chinese figure skaters were seen holding an object resembling a replica weapon during an international skating competition.
Television video showed the skaters waiting with a sizable prop shaped like a missile labeled “DF-61” while waiting for their scores in the “kiss and cry” zone on Saturday.
This model represents a recently introduced Chinese-made ground-launched long-range weapon capable of carrying nuclear weapons, that had been unveiled at a military parade recently.
Officials have acknowledged that an inappropriate plush item appears to have been among those thrown on to the rink by spectators following a performance at the ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix Cup of China event,” the organization stated via a release.
“The soft toy was subsequently held by the skaters who had just performed. The ISU apologizes for the incident and will look into it more deeply.”
Ren and Xing placed in eighth place of 10 pairs in the ice dance event, which was won by the American pair of the United States.
