China's Figure Skaters Face Probe After Holding Toy Missile at Competition
ISU officials are conducting an investigation following a pair of Chinese figure skaters appeared with an object resembling a replica weapon at a grand prix figure skating event.
Television footage captured the skaters sitting with a large toy in the form of a rocket labeled “DF-61” as they awaited their scores in the “kiss and cry” zone during the event.
The DF-61 is a recently introduced Chinese-made land-based long-range weapon capable of transporting atomic warheads, that had been unveiled during a national ceremony last month.
Officials have acknowledged of an unsuitable plush item appears to have been among those tossed onto the rink by spectators following a routine during the competition,” the organization commented in an emailed statement.
“The soft toy was then handled by the athletes after their performance. The ISU regrets the incident and will look into it more deeply.”
Ren and Xing finished eighth out of ten teams during the ice dancing competition, which was won by the American pair of the United States.
