Chinese Figure Skaters Under Probe Following Displaying Prop Weapon during Competition
ISU officials are conducting an investigation following two Chinese ice dancers appeared with an object resembling a replica weapon at an international skating competition.
Broadcast footage captured Ren Junfei and Xing Jianing waiting with a sizable prop shaped like a rocket marked “DF-61” as they awaited the judges' results at the “kiss and cry” area during the event.
The DF-61 is a new Chinese-made ground-launched intercontinental ballistic missile capable of carrying nuclear weapons, that had been displayed at a military parade recently.
Officials is aware of an unsuitable soft toy appears to have been among those thrown on to the ice by spectators after a performance at the ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix Cup of China event,” the organization commented via a release.
The item was subsequently handled by the athletes who had just performed. The ISU regrets this occurrence and will investigate further.”
Ren and Xing placed in eighth place out of ten teams during the ice dancing competition, which was won by Madison Chock and Evan Bates from the US.