China's Ice Dancers Face Investigation After Holding Toy Missile during Event
The International Skating Union have launched a formal inquiry following a pair of Chinese ice dancers appeared with an object resembling a toy ballistic missile during an international skating competition.
Television footage showed Ren Junfei and Xing Jianing waiting alongside a large toy in the form of a missile labeled “DF-61” while waiting for the judges' results in the “kiss and cry” area on Saturday.
The DF-61 represents a new China-produced land-based intercontinental ballistic missile capable of transporting atomic warheads, which was displayed during a national ceremony recently.
“The ISU have acknowledged of an unsuitable plush item seems to have been one of the objects tossed onto the ice by audience members after a routine during the competition,” the ISU stated via a release.
“The soft toy was then handled by the athletes after their performance. We regrets the incident and will investigate further.”
The duo placed eighth out of ten teams in the ice dance event, which was won by Madison Chock and Evan Bates of the United States.