China's Ice Dancers Face Probe After Holding Toy Missile at Event
The International Skating Union have launched an investigation following two Chinese figure skaters appeared holding what looked like a replica weapon during an international skating competition.
Television footage showed Ren Junfei and Xing Jianing sitting alongside a large toy shaped like a rocket marked “DF-61” as they awaited their scores in the “kiss and cry” zone on Saturday.
This model is a new China-produced ground-launched long-range weapon designed for transporting atomic warheads, which was displayed at a military parade last month.
“The ISU is aware that an inappropriate soft toy seems to have been one of the objects thrown on to the ice by spectators after a performance at the ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix Cup of China event,” the organization commented via a release.
The item was subsequently held by the skaters after their performance. The ISU regrets the incident and will investigate further.”
The duo finished in eighth place of 10 pairs during the ice dancing competition, with the victory going to the American pair of the United States.
