Chinese Figure Skaters Under Probe Following Holding Toy Missile during Event
ISU officials have launched an investigation following two Chinese figure skaters appeared holding an object resembling a replica weapon at a grand prix figure skating event.
Broadcast video showed Ren Junfei and Xing Jianing sitting alongside a sizable prop shaped like a rocket marked “DF-61” as they awaited the judges' results in the “kiss and cry” area on Saturday.
This model represents a new China-produced land-based long-range weapon designed for transporting atomic warheads, which was displayed at a military parade recently.
“The ISU have acknowledged of an unsuitable plush item appears to have been among those thrown on to the ice by spectators following a routine at the ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix Cup of China event,” the organization stated in an emailed statement.
“The soft toy was then held by the athletes who had just performed. The ISU regrets this occurrence and will investigate further.”
Ren and Xing placed in eighth place of 10 pairs in the ice dance event, with the victory going to the American pair from the US.
