The International Skating Union are conducting a formal inquiry after two Chinese ice dancers appeared with what looked like a toy ballistic missile at a grand prix figure skating event.
Television video captured Ren Junfei and Xing Jianing sitting alongside a large toy shaped like a rocket labeled “DF-61” as they awaited the judges' results at the “kiss and cry” area on Saturday.
The DF-61 is a new China-produced land-based long-range weapon designed for transporting atomic warheads, which was displayed at a military parade 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 at the ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix Cup of China event,” the ISU commented in an emailed statement.
“The soft toy was subsequently handled by the athletes who had just performed. The ISU apologizes for the incident and will investigate further.”
Ren and Xing placed eighth out of ten teams in the ice dance event, which was won by the American pair from the US.
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