🔗 Share this article China's Figure Skaters Under Investigation After Holding Prop Weapon at Competition ISU officials have launched a formal inquiry following a pair of Chinese figure skaters were seen holding what looked like a replica weapon at a grand prix figure skating event. Television video captured the skaters sitting with a sizable prop in the form of a missile marked “DF-61” as they awaited the judges' results in the “kiss and cry” area on Saturday. The DF-61 is a recently introduced China-produced ground-launched long-range weapon 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 tossed onto the ice by audience members after a routine during the competition,” the ISU stated via a release. “The soft toy was subsequently held by the athletes who had just performed. The ISU regrets the incident and will look into it more deeply.” Ren and Xing placed eighth of 10 pairs during the ice dancing competition, with the victory going to Madison Chock and Evan Bates of the United States.