China's Figure Skaters Face Probe Following Holding Toy Missile during Competition
ISU officials are conducting a formal inquiry following a pair of Chinese ice dancers appeared with an object resembling a toy ballistic missile at an international skating competition.
Broadcast footage captured the skaters sitting alongside a sizable prop shaped like a missile marked “DF-61” as they awaited the judges' results at the “kiss and cry” area 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 at a military parade last month.
“The ISU is aware that an inappropriate soft toy appears to have been among those tossed onto the ice by spectators after a performance during the competition,” the organization stated in an emailed statement.
“The soft toy was then handled by the skaters after their performance. We apologizes for this occurrence and will investigate further.”
Ren and Xing placed eighth of 10 pairs in the ice dance event, which was won by Madison Chock and Evan Bates of the United States.
