Chinese Figure Skaters Under Investigation Following Displaying Toy Missile during Competition
The International Skating Union are conducting a formal inquiry following a pair of Chinese figure skaters appeared holding what looked like a toy ballistic missile during a grand prix figure skating event.
Television video captured the skaters waiting alongside a sizable prop shaped like a rocket labeled “DF-61” while waiting for the judges' results at the “kiss and cry” area during the event.
The DF-61 represents a recently introduced China-produced land-based intercontinental ballistic missile capable of transporting atomic warheads, which was displayed during a national ceremony last month.
“The ISU have acknowledged of an unsuitable soft toy appears to have been among those thrown on to the rink by audience members following a routine at the ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix Cup of China event,” the ISU commented in an emailed statement.
“The soft toy was subsequently held by the skaters who had just performed. We apologizes for the incident and will look into it more deeply.”
Ren and Xing finished eighth of 10 pairs in the ice dance event, with the victory going to the American pair from the US.