Chinese Figure Skaters Under Probe After Displaying Toy Missile at Competition
ISU officials have launched a formal inquiry after a pair of Chinese ice dancers were seen holding what looked like a replica weapon during a grand prix figure skating event.
Television video showed the skaters sitting with a large toy in the form of a missile labeled “DF-61” as they awaited the judges' results in the “kiss and cry” zone on Saturday.
The DF-61 represents a new China-produced land-based long-range weapon capable of carrying nuclear weapons, which was displayed during a national ceremony last month.
“The ISU have acknowledged that an inappropriate plush item seems to have been among those tossed onto the rink by spectators following a performance during the competition,” the organization commented in an emailed statement.
The item was then handled by the athletes after their performance. The ISU apologizes for the incident and will look into it more deeply.”
Ren and Xing finished in eighth place of 10 pairs during the ice dancing competition, with the victory going to Madison Chock and Evan Bates of the United States.
