China's Figure Skaters Under Investigation Following Holding Toy Missile during Competition
ISU officials are conducting an investigation after two Chinese figure skaters appeared with what looked like a toy ballistic missile at a grand prix figure skating event.
Television footage showed the skaters sitting alongside a large toy shaped like a rocket labeled “DF-61” while waiting for their scores in the “kiss and cry” zone on Saturday.
The DF-61 is a recently introduced Chinese-made ground-launched intercontinental ballistic missile capable of transporting atomic warheads, that had been displayed at a military parade last month.
Officials have acknowledged that an inappropriate soft toy appears to have been among those tossed onto the ice by spectators after a performance at the ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix Cup of China event,” the organization commented via a release.
“The soft toy was then handled by the athletes who had just performed. We apologizes for this occurrence and will look into it more deeply.”
Ren and Xing placed in eighth place out of ten teams during the ice dancing competition, with the victory going to Madison Chock and Evan Bates from the US.
