Chinese Figure Skaters Under Investigation After Holding Prop Weapon at Competition
The International Skating Union are conducting a formal inquiry after two Chinese ice dancers appeared with what looked like a toy ballistic missile at an international skating competition.
Television video captured Ren Junfei and Xing Jianing waiting with a sizable prop shaped like a rocket marked “DF-61” while waiting for their scores in the “kiss and cry” zone on Saturday.
This model represents a recently introduced China-produced ground-launched intercontinental ballistic missile designed for transporting atomic warheads, which was unveiled at a military parade 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 routine at the ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix Cup of China event,” the organization commented in an emailed statement.
The item was subsequently held by the athletes after their performance. The ISU 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.
