Chinese Figure Skaters Face Investigation After Displaying Toy Missile during Competition
The International Skating Union have launched an investigation following a pair of Chinese figure skaters were seen with what looked like a toy ballistic missile during a grand prix figure skating event.
Television footage captured Ren Junfei and Xing Jianing sitting alongside a sizable prop shaped like a rocket marked “DF-61” while waiting for the judges' results in the “kiss and cry” zone during the event.
The DF-61 is a new Chinese-made ground-launched intercontinental ballistic missile designed for carrying nuclear weapons, which was displayed at a military parade recently.
“The ISU is aware of an unsuitable soft toy seems to have been among those thrown on to the rink by audience members 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 held by the skaters who had just performed. The ISU apologizes for this occurrence and will look into it more deeply.”
Ren and Xing finished in eighth place of 10 pairs during the ice dancing competition, with the victory going to Madison Chock and Evan Bates of the United States.
