Chinese Figure Skaters Under Probe Following Holding Prop Weapon at Event
ISU officials have launched an investigation following a pair of Chinese figure skaters appeared holding what looked like a replica weapon during a grand prix figure skating event.
Broadcast footage showed Ren Junfei and Xing Jianing sitting alongside a sizable prop in the form of a rocket marked “DF-61” as they awaited the judges' results in the “kiss and cry” area on Saturday.
This model is a new China-produced land-based long-range weapon designed for transporting atomic warheads, which was unveiled during a national ceremony recently.
“The ISU is aware of an unsuitable plush item appears to have been one of the objects thrown on to the ice by audience members after a routine during the competition,” the organization commented via a release.
“The soft toy was then held by the athletes who had just performed. The ISU 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 the American pair from the US.
