Chinese Figure Skaters Under Probe After Holding Toy Missile at Competition
The International Skating Union have launched an investigation after two Chinese figure skaters appeared with an object resembling a toy ballistic missile during a grand prix figure skating event.
Broadcast footage captured Ren Junfei and Xing Jianing waiting alongside a large toy shaped like a rocket marked âDF-61â while waiting for their scores in the âkiss and cryâ area during the event.
This model represents a new Chinese-made land-based long-range weapon designed for transporting atomic warheads, that had been displayed during a national ceremony last month.
âThe ISU is aware that an inappropriate soft toy seems to have been one of the objects thrown on to the rink by audience members after a routine during the competition,â the ISU stated in an emailed statement.
âThe soft toy was then handled by the athletes who had just performed. The ISU apologizes for this occurrence and will look into it more deeply.â
Ren and Xing placed in eighth place of 10 pairs during the ice dancing competition, which was won by Madison Chock and Evan Bates from the US.
