China's Ice Dancers Face Investigation After Displaying Toy Missile during Event
ISU officials have launched an investigation after a pair of Chinese figure skaters appeared holding what looked like a toy ballistic missile during an international skating competition.
Television footage captured the skaters waiting with a sizable prop shaped like a missile marked “DF-61” while waiting for the judges' results at the “kiss and cry” area on Saturday.
This model is a recently introduced China-produced land-based long-range weapon designed for transporting atomic warheads, that had been displayed at a military parade last month.
“The ISU is aware that an inappropriate plush item appears to have been among those tossed onto the rink by audience members after a performance at the ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix Cup of China event,” the ISU commented in an emailed statement.
“The soft toy was subsequently handled by the skaters after their performance. We regrets this occurrence and will investigate further.”
Ren and Xing finished in eighth place out of ten teams during the ice dancing competition, which was won by Madison Chock and Evan Bates of the United States.