China's Figure Skaters Under Probe Following Displaying Prop Weapon at Event
ISU officials have launched a formal inquiry following a pair of Chinese ice dancers appeared with an object resembling a replica weapon during a grand prix figure skating event.
Broadcast footage showed Ren Junfei and Xing Jianing waiting alongside a large toy in the form of a missile marked “DF-61” as they awaited the judges' results in the “kiss and cry” area during the event.
The DF-61 represents a recently introduced China-produced ground-launched long-range weapon capable of transporting atomic warheads, which was displayed during a national ceremony recently.
“The ISU have acknowledged that an inappropriate soft toy appears to have been among those tossed onto the ice by audience members following a performance during the competition,” the ISU commented via a release.
“The soft toy was subsequently handled by the skaters who had just performed. The ISU apologizes for the incident and will look into it more deeply.”
Ren and Xing finished in eighth place of 10 pairs in the ice dance event, which was won by Madison Chock and Evan Bates from the US.
