Chinese Figure Skaters Under Probe Following Holding Toy Missile during Event
The International Skating Union are conducting a formal inquiry after 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 large toy shaped like a missile marked “DF-61” as they awaited their scores at the “kiss and cry” area on Saturday.
This model is a recently introduced Chinese-made land-based long-range weapon designed for transporting atomic warheads, which was displayed during a national ceremony last month.
Officials have acknowledged that an inappropriate plush item seems to have been among those thrown on to the ice by spectators following a routine at the ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix Cup of China event,” the ISU commented in an emailed statement.
The item was then held by the skaters who had just performed. We apologizes for the incident and will look into it more deeply.”
Ren and Xing placed eighth of 10 pairs during the ice dancing competition, which was won by Madison Chock and Evan Bates of the United States.
