Chinese Figure Skaters Under Investigation Following Displaying Toy Missile at Competition
The International Skating Union have launched a formal inquiry following two Chinese ice dancers appeared with what looked like a toy ballistic missile at an international skating competition.
Television video showed Ren Junfei and Xing Jianing sitting with a large toy in the form of a rocket marked “DF-61” while waiting for their scores in the “kiss and cry” zone during the event.
The DF-61 represents a recently introduced China-produced land-based intercontinental ballistic missile capable of transporting atomic warheads, which was unveiled at a military parade last month.
Officials is aware of an unsuitable plush item appears to have been among those tossed onto the rink by audience members after a routine during the competition,” the organization commented in an emailed statement.
“The soft toy was subsequently handled by the athletes after their performance. We apologizes for the incident and will look into it more deeply.”
Ren and Xing placed in eighth place of 10 pairs during the ice dancing competition, with the victory going to the American pair of the United States.