China's Ice Dancers Under Investigation After Displaying Toy Missile at Event
The International Skating Union have launched a formal inquiry following two Chinese ice dancers appeared holding what looked like a toy ballistic missile at an international skating competition.
Television footage showed Ren Junfei and Xing Jianing waiting alongside a large toy in the form of a missile marked “DF-61” while waiting for the judges' results at the “kiss and cry” area during the event.
The DF-61 is a recently introduced China-produced land-based long-range weapon designed for transporting atomic warheads, that had been displayed during a national ceremony last month.
Officials is aware that an inappropriate plush item appears to have been among those thrown on to the ice by spectators following a performance at the ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix Cup of China event,” the ISU stated via a release.
“The soft toy was subsequently handled by the athletes who had just performed. We apologizes for the incident and will investigate further.”
Ren and Xing finished in eighth place of 10 pairs in the ice dance event, which was won by Madison Chock and Evan Bates from the US.
