Chinese Ice Dancers Face Probe Following Holding Prop Weapon during Event
The International Skating Union are conducting an investigation after a pair of Chinese ice dancers were seen with what looked like a toy ballistic missile during a grand prix figure skating event.
Television footage captured Ren Junfei and Xing Jianing sitting with a sizable prop shaped like a missile labeled “DF-61” as they awaited the judges' results in the “kiss and cry” area during the event.
The DF-61 represents a new Chinese-made ground-launched intercontinental ballistic missile capable of transporting atomic warheads, which was displayed during a national ceremony recently.
“The ISU is aware that an inappropriate plush item seems to have been among those tossed onto the ice by audience members after a routine during the competition,” the ISU commented in an emailed statement.
“The soft toy was subsequently handled by the athletes who had just performed. We apologizes for the incident and will look into it more deeply.”
Ren and Xing placed in eighth place of 10 pairs during the ice dancing competition, which was won by the American pair from the US.
