Chinese Figure Skaters Face Investigation Following Displaying Toy Missile at Competition
ISU officials have launched an investigation after two Chinese ice dancers were seen holding an object resembling a replica weapon during a grand prix figure skating event.
Broadcast footage showed the skaters sitting alongside a large toy shaped like a rocket marked “DF-61” as they awaited the judges' results at the “kiss and cry” zone during the event.
This model is a new China-produced land-based intercontinental ballistic missile designed for carrying nuclear weapons, that had been displayed during a national ceremony recently.
“The ISU is aware of an unsuitable plush item appears to have been one of the objects thrown on to the ice by spectators after a performance during the competition,” the organization commented in an emailed statement.
“The soft toy was subsequently held by the athletes after their performance. We apologizes for the incident and will investigate further.”
Ren and Xing placed in eighth place out of ten teams during the ice dancing competition, with the victory going to the American pair of the United States.
