China's Figure Skaters Face Probe After Holding Toy Missile during Competition
ISU officials have launched an investigation after two Chinese figure skaters were seen holding what looked like a toy ballistic missile during a grand prix figure skating event.
Broadcast footage captured Ren Junfei and Xing Jianing waiting with a sizable prop in the form of a rocket marked “DF-61” while waiting for the judges' results at the “kiss and cry” area on Saturday.
This model is a new Chinese-made land-based long-range weapon designed for transporting atomic warheads, which was unveiled at a military parade last month.
“The ISU have acknowledged of an unsuitable soft toy seems to have been one of the objects tossed onto the rink by spectators after a routine during the competition,” the organization commented in an emailed statement.
“The soft toy was then held by the skaters who had just performed. We apologizes for this occurrence and will look into it more deeply.”
The duo placed eighth of 10 pairs in the ice dance event, with the victory going to Madison Chock and Evan Bates of the United States.
