Chinese Figure Skaters Under Probe Following Displaying Toy Missile at Event
The International Skating Union are conducting an investigation following a pair of Chinese figure skaters appeared holding an object resembling a replica weapon at an international skating competition.
Broadcast footage showed the skaters waiting alongside a large toy in the form of a rocket labeled “DF-61” as they awaited the judges' results at the “kiss and cry” area during the event.
This model is a new China-produced ground-launched long-range weapon designed for transporting atomic warheads, which was unveiled during a national ceremony recently.
“The ISU is aware of an unsuitable soft toy seems to have been one of the objects tossed onto the ice by spectators after a routine at the ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix Cup of China event,” the ISU stated in an emailed statement.
The item was then held by the athletes after their performance. The ISU regrets the incident and will look into it more deeply.”
Ren and Xing placed in eighth place of 10 pairs in the ice dance event, with the victory going to the American pair of the United States.
