Chinese Figure Skaters Face Investigation Following Holding Toy Missile during Event
ISU officials are conducting a formal inquiry after a pair of Chinese ice dancers were seen with an object resembling a replica weapon during a grand prix figure skating event.
Broadcast video showed the skaters sitting alongside a sizable prop in the form of a rocket marked “DF-61” as they awaited the judges' results at the “kiss and cry” area during the event.
The DF-61 represents a recently introduced China-produced ground-launched long-range weapon designed for transporting atomic warheads, which was displayed during a national ceremony last month.
Officials is aware that an inappropriate soft toy seems to have been one of the objects tossed onto the ice by spectators following a routine at the ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix Cup of China event,” the ISU commented via a release.
“The soft toy was subsequently held by the athletes who had just performed. We apologizes for this occurrence and will investigate further.”
Ren and Xing placed eighth of 10 pairs in the ice dance event, which was won by the American pair of the United States.
