China's Ice Dancers Under Probe After Displaying Toy Missile at Competition
The International Skating Union have launched a formal inquiry following two Chinese ice dancers were seen with an object resembling a replica weapon during a grand prix figure skating event.
Broadcast footage captured Ren Junfei and Xing Jianing sitting with a large toy in the form of a missile labeled “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 land-based intercontinental ballistic missile designed for carrying nuclear weapons, which was unveiled during a national ceremony recently.
“The ISU is aware that an inappropriate soft toy appears to have been one of the objects tossed onto the rink by audience members following a performance at the ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix Cup of China event,” the ISU commented via a release.
“The soft toy was subsequently handled by the athletes after their performance. We apologizes for the incident and will look into it more deeply.”
Ren and Xing placed eighth out of ten teams in the ice dance event, with the victory going to the American pair of the United States.
