China's Ice Dancers Face Probe After Displaying Toy Missile during Event
ISU officials are conducting a formal inquiry following a pair of Chinese figure skaters appeared with what looked like a toy ballistic missile during a grand prix figure skating event.
Television footage captured Ren Junfei and Xing Jianing waiting with a sizable prop shaped like a rocket labeled “DF-61” while waiting for their scores at the “kiss and cry” zone on Saturday.
The DF-61 is a recently introduced Chinese-made ground-launched long-range weapon designed for transporting atomic warheads, that had been unveiled at a military parade last month.
“The ISU is aware of an unsuitable soft toy seems to have been among those tossed onto the rink by audience members after a routine during the competition,” the organization stated via a release.
“The soft toy was subsequently handled by the athletes who had just performed. The ISU regrets the incident and will look into it more deeply.”
Ren and Xing placed eighth of 10 pairs during the ice dancing competition, which was won by the American pair of the United States.