Chinese Figure Skaters Face Investigation Following Displaying Toy Missile during Event
The International Skating Union have launched a formal inquiry following two Chinese figure skaters were seen with an object resembling a replica weapon during a grand prix figure skating event.
Broadcast video captured Ren Junfei and Xing Jianing sitting alongside a sizable prop in the form of a missile marked “DF-61” as they awaited their scores in the “kiss and cry” area on Saturday.
This model represents a recently introduced China-produced land-based intercontinental ballistic missile designed for carrying nuclear weapons, which was displayed during a national ceremony last month.
Officials have acknowledged that an inappropriate plush item appears to have been one of the objects tossed onto the rink by audience members after a performance during the competition,” the organization stated in an emailed statement.
“The soft toy was subsequently handled by the skaters after their performance. We apologizes for the incident and will investigate further.”
Ren and Xing placed in eighth place out of ten teams in the ice dance event, which was won by the American pair of the United States.
