China's Figure Skaters Under Investigation Following Holding Prop Weapon at Competition
ISU officials have launched a formal inquiry after a pair of Chinese ice dancers were seen with an object resembling a replica weapon during a grand prix figure skating event.
Broadcast video showed Ren Junfei and Xing Jianing sitting alongside a sizable prop shaped like a missile marked “DF-61” as they awaited their scores at the “kiss and cry” area during the event.
The DF-61 represents a new Chinese-made land-based intercontinental ballistic missile designed for carrying nuclear weapons, that had been unveiled at a military parade recently.
“The ISU have acknowledged that an inappropriate plush item seems to have been among those thrown on to the rink by spectators after a routine at the ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix Cup of China event,” the ISU commented in an emailed statement.
The item was subsequently handled by the athletes who had just performed. The ISU regrets this occurrence and will look into it more deeply.”
Ren and Xing placed eighth of 10 pairs during the ice dancing competition, with the victory going to the American pair from the US.
