China's Ice Dancers Face Probe Following Displaying Toy Missile during Event
ISU officials are conducting a formal inquiry following a pair of Chinese ice dancers were seen holding what looked like a toy ballistic missile during an international skating competition.
Broadcast video showed Ren Junfei and Xing Jianing waiting with a large toy in the form of a missile marked “DF-61” while waiting for their scores at the “kiss and cry” zone on Saturday.
This model represents a recently introduced China-produced land-based long-range weapon capable of transporting atomic warheads, that had been displayed during a national ceremony recently.
“The ISU is aware that an inappropriate plush item seems to have been one of the objects thrown on to the ice by audience members after a routine during the competition,” the ISU commented in an emailed statement.
The item was subsequently handled by the skaters after their performance. The ISU regrets the incident and will look into it more deeply.”
Ren and Xing placed eighth of 10 pairs during the ice dancing competition, with the victory going to the American pair from the US.
