Chinese Ice Dancers Face Probe After Holding Prop Weapon at Competition

ISU officials have launched an investigation following a pair of Chinese ice dancers were seen holding an object resembling a toy ballistic missile at an international skating competition.

Television video captured Ren Junfei and Xing Jianing waiting alongside a large toy in the form of a rocket marked “DF-61” as they awaited the judges' results in the “kiss and cry” zone during the event.

This model represents a new China-produced land-based long-range weapon designed for transporting atomic warheads, that had been unveiled during a national ceremony last month.

“The ISU have acknowledged of an unsuitable plush item seems to have been among those thrown on to 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 held by the skaters who had just performed. The ISU regrets this occurrence and will investigate further.”

Ren and Xing finished in eighth place of 10 pairs during the ice dancing competition, which was won by Madison Chock and Evan Bates from the US.