China's Figure Skaters Face Probe Following Holding Prop Weapon at Event
ISU officials have launched a formal inquiry after two Chinese ice dancers were seen holding what looked like a replica weapon at an international skating competition.
Television footage showed Ren Junfei and Xing Jianing waiting alongside a sizable prop shaped like a missile marked “DF-61” while waiting for their scores in the “kiss and cry” zone during the event.
The DF-61 is a recently introduced Chinese-made ground-launched long-range weapon designed for carrying nuclear weapons, that had been displayed during a national ceremony last month.
Officials have acknowledged that an inappropriate plush item appears to have been one of the objects thrown on to the rink by spectators after a performance during the competition,” the organization stated in an emailed statement.
The item was subsequently handled by the skaters after their performance. We regrets this occurrence and will look into it more deeply.”
The duo placed eighth of 10 pairs during the ice dancing competition, with the victory going to the American pair from the US.