China's Figure Skaters Face Investigation After Holding Prop Weapon during Event
The International Skating Union are conducting a formal inquiry following a pair of Chinese ice dancers were seen with an object resembling a replica weapon during an international skating competition.
Television footage showed Ren Junfei and Xing Jianing waiting with a sizable prop in the form of a missile marked “DF-61” as they awaited the judges' results in the “kiss and cry” zone during the event.
The DF-61 is a recently introduced China-produced land-based intercontinental ballistic missile designed for carrying nuclear weapons, which was unveiled during a national ceremony last month.
“The ISU is aware of an unsuitable plush item seems to have been among those thrown on to the rink by audience members after a routine during the competition,” the ISU commented in an emailed statement.
“The soft toy was then held by the athletes after their performance. We regrets this occurrence and will look into it more deeply.”
Ren and Xing finished eighth out of ten teams during the ice dancing competition, with the victory going to Madison Chock and Evan Bates from the US.
