China's Ice Dancers Under Probe Following Holding Toy Missile at Competition
ISU officials have launched a formal inquiry following a pair of Chinese ice dancers were seen with an object resembling a toy ballistic missile during an international skating competition.
Television video captured the skaters waiting alongside a large toy in the form of a rocket marked “DF-61” as they awaited the judges' results at the “kiss and cry” zone during the event.
The DF-61 represents a recently introduced Chinese-made land-based intercontinental ballistic missile capable of transporting atomic warheads, that had been unveiled during a national ceremony recently.
Officials is aware of an unsuitable soft toy seems to have been among those tossed onto the rink by spectators following a performance at the ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix Cup of China event,” the ISU stated in an emailed statement.
“The soft toy was then held by the skaters who had just performed. We apologizes for this occurrence and will investigate further.”
Ren and Xing finished in eighth place of 10 pairs in the ice dance event, with the victory going to Madison Chock and Evan Bates of the United States.
