China's Figure Skaters Under Investigation After Displaying Toy Missile during Competition
ISU officials are conducting a formal inquiry after a pair of Chinese figure skaters were seen with an object resembling a toy ballistic missile at an international skating competition.
Broadcast footage captured Ren Junfei and Xing Jianing sitting alongside a sizable prop shaped like a rocket marked “DF-61” while waiting for the judges' results at the “kiss and cry” area during the event.
This model is a new China-produced ground-launched long-range weapon capable of transporting atomic warheads, that had been displayed during a national ceremony last month.
Officials have acknowledged that an inappropriate plush item seems to have been one of the objects thrown on to the rink by spectators after a performance at the ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix Cup of China event,” the ISU commented in an emailed statement.
“The soft toy was then handled by the athletes who had just performed. The ISU regrets this occurrence and will investigate further.”
The duo finished eighth out of ten teams during the ice dancing competition, with the victory going to Madison Chock and Evan Bates of the United States.
