Tokyo: High-jumper Mariyappan Thangavelu was on Tuesday replaced by javelin thrower Tek Chand as India’s flag-bearer for the 2020 Paralympics opening ceremony, set to take place here on Tuesday evening, after coming in close contact of a COVID-positive fellow passenger during his flight to Tokyo.
Thangavelu, a gold-medallist from Rio Olympics, has been in quarantine in the Games Village as per Japanese government health protocols.
The 26-year old Mariyappan, who hails from Salem district of Tamil Nadu has been tested for six days and has returned COVID negative. However, the Tokyo Paralympics organising committee advised Indian officials to take him off from the opening ceremony as a precautionary measure.
Discus thrower Vinod Kumar, who was to take part in the opening ceremony has also been withdrawn from the ceremony because of the same reason.
''We have received an information from the Tokyo Paralympic COVID control room that 6 of our para athletes have been found to be in close contact while they were travelling to Tokyo,'' India’s Chef de Mission Gursharan Singh said.
“Out of the six, Mariyappan and Vinod Kumar have also been found to be in close contact. Regretfully, Mariyappan who was the flag-bearer will not be able to join the march past today in the opening ceremony.
''Instead of Mariyappan now Tek Chand would be the new flag-bearer,'' he added.
Earlier, Six officials and five para-athletes from India were expected to take part in the opening ceremony. Now only nine members of the contingent, of which only Tek Chand is a para-shot putter, will attend the ceremony.
However, both Mariyappan Thangavelu and Vinod Kumar will be able to take part in their respective events as they have tested negative for the COVID-19 so far.
Mariyappan won the gold medal in men’s high jump T-42 category at the 2016 Rio Paralympics and bronze in men’s high jump T-63 event at the 2019 World Para Athletics Championships.
On the other hand, the 37-year old Tek Chand won bronze in men’s shot put at the 2018 Asian Para Games and silver at the 2018 World Para Athletics Grand Prix.
India will be represented by 54 athletes at the Tokyo Paralympics, the country’s biggest ever contingent at the Summer Games. (UNI)