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ISU officials have launched a formal inquiry following two Chinese ice dancers were seen with what looked like a replica weapon during an international skating competition.

Broadcast video showed the skaters sitting alongside a large toy in the form of a rocket marked “DF-61” as they awaited the judges' results in the “kiss and cry” area on Saturday.

This model is a new Chinese-made ground-launched intercontinental ballistic missile capable of carrying nuclear weapons, which was unveiled at a military parade recently.

Officials have acknowledged of an unsuitable soft toy appears to have been among those tossed onto the ice by spectators following a routine during the competition,” the ISU stated via a release.

“The soft toy was then handled by the skaters after their performance. 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 of the United States.