China's Figure Skaters Under Investigation After Holding Toy Missile during Competition
ISU officials have launched a formal inquiry after a pair of Chinese ice dancers appeared with an object resembling a replica weapon during an international skating competition.
Broadcast video captured the skaters waiting alongside a sizable prop shaped like a missile labeled “DF-61” as they awaited the judges' results at the “kiss and cry” area during the event.
This model is a recently introduced Chinese-made land-based intercontinental ballistic missile capable of carrying nuclear weapons, which was unveiled during a national ceremony last month.
Officials is aware that an inappropriate soft toy seems to have been among those tossed onto the ice by spectators after a routine at the ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix Cup of China event,” the ISU commented in an emailed statement.
“The soft toy was then handled by the athletes who had just performed. The ISU regrets the incident and will investigate further.”
Ren and Xing placed eighth out of ten teams during the ice dancing competition, with the victory going to Madison Chock and Evan Bates from the US.
