Chinese Ice Dancers Face Probe After Holding Prop Weapon during Competition
The International Skating Union have launched an investigation after a pair of Chinese figure skaters were seen with an object resembling a toy ballistic missile at a grand prix figure skating event.
Broadcast footage showed Ren Junfei and Xing Jianing waiting alongside a large toy shaped like a rocket labeled “DF-61” while waiting for the judges' results in the “kiss and cry” area on Saturday.
The DF-61 represents a recently introduced China-produced ground-launched long-range weapon capable of carrying nuclear weapons, which was displayed at a military parade recently.
Officials is aware of an unsuitable soft toy appears to have been one of the objects thrown on to the ice by audience members following a routine during the competition,” the organization stated in an emailed statement.
“The soft toy was subsequently held by the skaters who had just performed. We regrets the incident and will look into it more deeply.”
Ren and Xing finished in eighth place of 10 pairs in the ice dance event, with the victory going to Madison Chock and Evan Bates of the United States.
