Chinese Figure Skaters Face Probe Following Holding Toy Missile at Competition
The International Skating Union are conducting a formal inquiry following a pair of Chinese figure skaters appeared with an object resembling a replica weapon at an international skating competition.
Broadcast video showed Ren Junfei and Xing Jianing waiting with a sizable prop in the form of a missile labeled “DF-61” while waiting for the judges' results at the “kiss and cry” area on Saturday.
This model is a recently introduced China-produced land-based long-range weapon capable of transporting atomic warheads, that had been displayed at a military parade recently.
“The ISU have acknowledged of an unsuitable soft toy seems to have been one of the objects thrown on to the ice by audience members following a performance at the ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix Cup of China event,” the organization commented via a release.
The item was subsequently held by the skaters who had just performed. We apologizes for this occurrence and will investigate further.”
The duo finished eighth of 10 pairs in the ice dance event, which was won by the American pair of the United States.
