China's Ice Dancers Face Probe Following Holding Prop Weapon during Event

ISU officials have launched a formal inquiry after two Chinese figure skaters appeared holding an object resembling a toy ballistic missile during an international skating competition.

Television video showed Ren Junfei and Xing Jianing waiting with a large toy in the form of a rocket labeled “DF-61” while waiting for their scores in the “kiss and cry” area on Saturday.

The DF-61 represents a new China-produced land-based long-range weapon designed for carrying nuclear weapons, which was unveiled during a national ceremony last month.

“The ISU is aware of an unsuitable plush item seems to have been among those thrown on to the ice by audience members following a routine during the competition,” the organization commented in an emailed statement.

The item was subsequently held by the athletes after their performance. We regrets this occurrence and will look into it more deeply.”

Ren and Xing finished eighth of 10 pairs in the ice dance event, which was won by Madison Chock and Evan Bates from the US.