Chinese Figure Skaters Under Probe Following Displaying Toy Missile during Competition
ISU officials are conducting a formal inquiry after two Chinese ice dancers were seen holding what looked like a replica weapon during an international skating competition.
Broadcast footage captured the skaters waiting with a large toy shaped like a missile marked “DF-61” while waiting for their scores in the “kiss and cry” area during the event.
This model represents a recently introduced Chinese-made land-based long-range weapon capable of carrying nuclear weapons, which was displayed during a national ceremony recently.
“The ISU have acknowledged of an unsuitable plush item appears to have been among those thrown on to the ice by audience members after a performance at the ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix Cup of China event,” the organization commented in an emailed statement.
The item was then held by the athletes after their performance. We apologizes for this occurrence and will look into it more deeply.”
Ren and Xing placed eighth out of ten teams in the ice dance event, with the victory going to Madison Chock and Evan Bates from the US.
