China's Ice Dancers Face Probe Following Holding Prop Weapon at Event
ISU officials are conducting a formal inquiry following a pair of Chinese ice dancers appeared holding what looked like a toy ballistic missile during an international skating competition.
Television video showed Ren Junfei and Xing Jianing sitting with a sizable prop shaped like a rocket marked “DF-61” as they awaited their scores at the “kiss and cry” area on Saturday.
The DF-61 is a new Chinese-made land-based intercontinental ballistic missile capable of transporting atomic warheads, which was displayed at a military parade last month.
Officials is aware of an unsuitable plush item appears to have been one of the objects thrown on to the rink by audience members after a performance during the competition,” the ISU commented in an emailed statement.
“The soft toy was subsequently held by the athletes after their performance. We regrets this occurrence and will investigate further.”
The duo finished eighth out of ten teams during the ice dancing competition, with the victory going to the American pair of the United States.
