Tokyo Paralympics: Mariyappan Thangavelu Quarantined, Tek Chand To Be India's Flagbearer For Opening Ceremony
Tokyo Paralympics: Javelin thrower Tek Chand was named the new flagbearer of the Indian contingent for the opening ceremony after Mariyappan Thangavelu was quarantined as he was deemed a close contact of a Covid positive person on his flight to Tokyo.
Highlights
-
Tek Chand will be India's flag bearer at Paralympics opening ceremony
-
Tek Chand was named after Mariyappan Thangavelu was quarantined
-
Thangavelu came in contact with a Covid+ve person on his flight to Tokyo
High-jumper Mariyappan Thangavelu was on Tuesday replaced by shot-putter Tek Chand as India's flag-bearer for the Paralympics opening ceremony in Tokyo this evening after coming in close contact of a COVID positive person during his flight to Tokyo. Mariyappan, a gold-medallist from Rio Olympics, has been quarantined along with five other Indians. Discus thrower Vinod Kumar is also among those withdrawn from the ceremony because of the same reason. "Just now 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.
The Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) had identified Tek Chand as a javelin thrower in its earlier communication. However, it later corrected the information to say that he will compete in shot put.
Singh, however, made it clear that both Mariyappan and Vinod will compete in their events as they have tested negative for the virus so far.
"However, both Mariyappan and Vinod Kumar have been found to be negative since last six days and they will be able to participate in their respective events and be allowed to practice adhering to strict COVID guidelines," he added.
India's athletics coach Satyanarayana also confirmed the development.
Six officials and five para-athletes were expected to take part in the opening ceremony.
Besides Mariyappan, the other athletes who were to be part of he event were were Vinod, Tek Chand and power-lifters Jaideep and Sakina Khatun.
India will be represented by 54 para athletes -- the biggest ever contingent in the history of the Games.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)