Chinese Ice Dancers Face Probe Following Displaying Prop Weapon during Event
ISU officials have launched an investigation after a pair of Chinese ice dancers were seen holding an object resembling a toy ballistic missile during a grand prix figure skating event.
Broadcast footage showed Ren Junfei and Xing Jianing waiting with a large toy shaped like a missile marked “DF-61” while waiting for their scores in the “kiss and cry” zone during the event.
This model is a new Chinese-made land-based long-range weapon capable of carrying nuclear weapons, that had been displayed at a military parade recently.
“The ISU have acknowledged of an unsuitable soft toy appears to have been one of the objects thrown on to the ice by spectators following a routine at the ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix Cup of China event,” the ISU stated via a release.
“The soft toy was then handled by the skaters after their performance. We regrets the incident and will investigate further.”
The duo placed eighth out of ten teams in the ice dance event, with the victory going to the American pair of the United States.