Chinese Ice Dancers Face Probe Following Holding Toy Missile during Event
The International Skating Union have launched a formal inquiry after two Chinese ice dancers were seen with an object resembling a toy ballistic missile during an international skating competition.
Broadcast footage captured Ren Junfei and Xing Jianing sitting alongside a large toy in the form of a missile labeled “DF-61” while waiting for their scores in the “kiss and cry” zone on Saturday.
This model is a recently introduced China-produced ground-launched long-range weapon capable of carrying nuclear weapons, which was unveiled during a national ceremony last month.
“The ISU is aware of an unsuitable plush item appears to have been among those tossed onto the rink by audience members following a performance during the competition,” the ISU commented in an emailed statement.
“The soft toy was subsequently handled by the athletes who had just performed. The ISU apologizes for the incident and will look into it more deeply.”
Ren and Xing placed in eighth place of 10 pairs in the ice dance event, with the victory going to the American pair of the United States.
