Tokyo Paralympics: Mariyappan Thangavelu to be replaced by Tekchand as India’s new flag-bearer

TOKYO:  Mariyappan Thangavelu, 2016 Rio Paralympic Games gold medalist will be replaced by Asian Games gold medalist Tekchand as the new flag-bearer of India at the opening ceremony on Tuesday, reports said.

The Paralympic Committee of India reported, “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.”

However, he is reported to be in quarantine now.

“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.

He further informed that 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 further added.

Gursharan Singh also told, “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.”

As per reports, the other athletes who were to be part of the event were Vinod, Tek Chand and power-lifters Jaideep and Sakina Khatun.

India will be represented by 54 para-athletes.

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