China's Ice Dancers Under Probe Following Holding Toy Missile at Competition
ISU officials have launched an investigation following two Chinese figure skaters appeared holding an object resembling a replica weapon during an international skating competition.
Broadcast footage captured the skaters waiting with a sizable prop in the form of a rocket marked “DF-61” as they awaited their scores at the “kiss and cry” area during the event.
The DF-61 is a new China-produced ground-launched intercontinental ballistic missile capable of transporting atomic warheads, which was unveiled during a national ceremony recently.
“The ISU is aware that an inappropriate plush item seems to have been among those thrown on to the rink by spectators following a performance at the ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix Cup of China event,” the organization stated via a release.
“The soft toy was subsequently handled by the athletes after their performance. We apologizes for the incident and will investigate further.”
Ren and Xing placed in eighth place of 10 pairs in the ice dance event, which was won by Madison Chock and Evan Bates of the United States.
