Chinese Figure Skaters Face Probe Following Displaying Toy Missile during Event
ISU officials have launched a formal inquiry after a pair of Chinese figure skaters appeared with what looked like a toy ballistic missile during a grand prix figure skating event.
Television video showed Ren Junfei and Xing Jianing sitting alongside a large toy shaped like a rocket labeled “DF-61” while waiting for the judges' results at the “kiss and cry” zone on Saturday.
The DF-61 is a new Chinese-made ground-launched long-range weapon designed for carrying nuclear weapons, that had been displayed during a national ceremony last month.
“The ISU have acknowledged that an inappropriate soft toy seems to have been among those thrown on to the rink by audience members following a performance during the competition,” the ISU commented in an emailed statement.
“The soft toy was then handled by the skaters who had just performed. The ISU apologizes for the incident and will investigate further.”
Ren and Xing placed eighth out of ten teams during the ice dancing competition, with the victory going to Madison Chock and Evan Bates of the United States.
