Chinese Figure Skaters Under Probe Following Holding Prop Weapon at Event
The International Skating Union are conducting an investigation after two Chinese ice dancers were seen with an object resembling a toy ballistic missile at an international skating competition.
Broadcast video showed Ren Junfei and Xing Jianing waiting with a sizable prop shaped like a rocket labeled “DF-61” as they awaited the judges' results at the “kiss and cry” zone on Saturday.
The DF-61 represents a new China-produced ground-launched long-range weapon capable of transporting atomic warheads, which was displayed during a national ceremony recently.
Officials is aware of an unsuitable plush item appears to have been among those tossed onto the ice by audience members after a routine during the competition,” the organization stated via a release.
“The soft toy was subsequently handled by the skaters who had just performed. The ISU regrets this occurrence and will investigate further.”
Ren and Xing placed in eighth place of 10 pairs during the ice dancing competition, which was won by the American pair from the US.