The International Skating Union are conducting a formal inquiry after a pair of Chinese ice dancers appeared with an object resembling a toy ballistic missile during an international skating competition.
Television video showed Ren Junfei and Xing Jianing sitting with a sizable prop shaped like a rocket labeled “DF-61” while waiting for the judges' results in the “kiss and cry” area on Saturday.
The DF-61 represents a recently introduced China-produced ground-launched intercontinental ballistic missile capable of carrying nuclear weapons, which was displayed at a military parade recently.
“The ISU is aware that an inappropriate plush item appears to have been among those thrown on to the ice by spectators after a routine during the competition,” the organization commented in an emailed statement.
The item was then held by the athletes who had just performed. The ISU regrets the incident and will look into it more deeply.”
The duo finished in eighth place of 10 pairs in the ice dance event, which was won by the American pair from the US.
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