Chinese Figure Skaters Face Investigation Following Displaying Toy Missile at Event
ISU officials have launched a formal inquiry following a pair of Chinese figure skaters were seen holding an object resembling a toy ballistic missile during an international skating competition.
Broadcast footage showed the skaters waiting with a sizable prop shaped like a rocket marked “DF-61” as they awaited their scores in the “kiss and cry” zone during the event.
The DF-61 represents a recently introduced Chinese-made ground-launched long-range weapon capable of transporting atomic warheads, which was displayed at a military parade last month.
“The ISU have acknowledged of an unsuitable plush item appears to have been one of the objects thrown on to the ice by spectators after a routine at the ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix Cup of China event,” the ISU stated via a release.
The item was then handled by the skaters after their performance. The ISU apologizes for this occurrence and will look into it more deeply.”
Ren and Xing finished eighth of 10 pairs during the ice dancing competition, with the victory going to Madison Chock and Evan Bates from the US.
