Chinese Ice Dancers Face Investigation Following Displaying Toy Missile during Competition

The International Skating Union are conducting a formal inquiry after a pair of Chinese figure skaters were seen holding what looked like a replica weapon during an international skating competition.

Broadcast video captured Ren Junfei and Xing Jianing waiting with a sizable prop shaped like a missile labeled “DF-61” as they awaited their scores in the “kiss and cry” zone on Saturday.

The DF-61 represents a new Chinese-made ground-launched long-range weapon designed for transporting atomic warheads, that had been displayed during a national ceremony last month.

“The ISU is aware that an inappropriate plush item appears to have been one of the objects tossed onto the rink by audience members following a performance during the competition,” the organization commented via a release.

“The soft toy was then held by the skaters after their performance. We apologizes for this occurrence and will look into it more deeply.”

The duo finished in eighth place out of ten teams during the ice dancing competition, which was won by Madison Chock and Evan Bates from the US.