Chinese Ice Dancers Face Probe After Holding Prop Weapon during Competition
ISU officials have launched an investigation following two Chinese figure skaters appeared holding what looked like a replica weapon during a grand prix figure skating event.
Television footage captured Ren Junfei and Xing Jianing waiting with a sizable prop in the form of a missile labeled “DF-61” as they awaited their scores at the “kiss and cry” area during the event.
This model represents a recently introduced Chinese-made ground-launched intercontinental ballistic missile capable of carrying nuclear weapons, that had been displayed during a national ceremony last month.
Officials is aware of an unsuitable soft toy seems to have been one of the objects thrown on to the ice by spectators following a routine at the ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix Cup of China event,” the organization stated in an emailed statement.
“The soft toy was then handled by the athletes 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 Madison Chock and Evan Bates from the US.
