HIGHLIGHTS

• Mariyappan Thangavelu in quarantine after possible exposure to Covid-19
• On his flight to Tokyo, Mariyappan came in close contact with a Covid positive passenger
• Asian Games gold medallist Tekchand will be India’s new flag-bearer

India’s flag-bearer for the Tokyo Paralympics, Thangavelu Mariyappan, will not be part of the opening ceremony after coming into possible exposure to Covid-19 during his flight.

Mariyappan will be replaced by Asian Games gold medallist Tekchand as the new flag-bearer.

“On his flight to Tokyo, Mariyappan came in close contact with a Covid positive foreign passenger. Though on reaching the village he has been tested for 6 days and all his reports are negative, but the Organizing Committee has advised not to make Mariyaapan participate in the Opening Ceremony today,” Paralympic Committee of India said in a statement.

It was earlier reported that six officials, five para-athletes and six officials were allowed to take part in the opening ceremony of the 2020 Summer paralympics. Besides Mariyappan, other athletes who are identified as ‘close contacts’ by the Japanese health authorities are — Lavanya Swastik Sirsikar, Sombir Singh, Vinod Kumar, Abhishek Sanjiv Wagh, and Mohammed Danish.

“Just now we have received 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. 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-19 guidelines,” he added.

Mariyappan, will be competing in the men’s high jump F42 event, is allowed to train but have specific timings. F42 category is for athletes with a leg deficiency, leg length difference, impaired muscle power or impaired passive range of movement in the legs.

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 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.