China's Ice Dancers Under Probe Following Holding Toy Missile at Event
The International Skating Union have launched a formal inquiry after two Chinese figure skaters were seen holding an object resembling a replica weapon during an international skating competition.
Television video captured Ren Junfei and Xing Jianing sitting with a large toy shaped like a rocket labeled “DF-61” while waiting for the judges' results at the “kiss and cry” area during the event.
The DF-61 is a new China-produced land-based intercontinental ballistic missile capable of carrying nuclear weapons, which was unveiled during a national ceremony last month.
“The ISU have acknowledged of an unsuitable plush item seems to have been among those thrown on to the ice by audience members after a performance at the ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix Cup of China event,” the organization commented in an emailed statement.
The item was subsequently held by the skaters who had just performed. The ISU apologizes for the incident and will investigate further.”
Ren and Xing placed eighth out of ten teams in the ice dance event, which was won by the American pair from the US.
