China's Figure Skaters Under Investigation Following Holding Toy Missile during Competition
ISU officials have launched a formal inquiry after two Chinese figure skaters were seen with what looked like a replica weapon during a grand prix figure skating event.
Broadcast video captured the skaters sitting alongside a large toy in the form of a rocket labeled “DF-61” as they awaited the judges' results at the “kiss and cry” area during the event.
This model is a recently introduced Chinese-made ground-launched intercontinental ballistic missile designed for carrying nuclear weapons, which was displayed at a military parade last month.
“The ISU have acknowledged that an inappropriate soft toy seems to have been one of the objects thrown on to the rink by spectators following a routine during the competition,” the organization stated via a release.
“The soft toy was then handled by the athletes after their performance. We apologizes for the incident and will look into it more deeply.”
Ren and Xing finished in eighth place out of ten teams in the ice dance event, with the victory going to Madison Chock and Evan Bates from the US.
