Tokyo: India’s flagbearer Thangavelu Mariyappan will not be present at the Tokyo Paralympics Opening Ceremony after he has been isolated after coming in close proximity with a foreign passenger, who tested positive for COVID-19. Tek Chand has taken his place as the country’s flag bearer for the ceremony. Tek Chand would be the new flagbearer.
The Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) has issued a confirmation about the above-mentioned scenario, stating that “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 six days and all his reports are negative, but the Organizing Committee has advised not to make Mariyaapan participate in the Opening Ceremony today.”
Mariyappan was supposed to lead the Indian delegation into Japan’s National Stadium, according to the previous PCI decision. The Indian athlete qualified for the Tokyo Paralympics after coming in third place in the men’s high jump at the 2019 World Para Athletics Championships.
India is #OpeningCeremony ready despite all odds, Jai Hind 🇮🇳 @ParalympicIndia @DeepaAthlete #Cheer4India #Praise4Para #Tokyo2020 #TokyoParalympics #TokyoOlympics2020 pic.twitter.com/rRm1Ewjhy0
— Arhan Bagati (@IamArhanBagati) August 24, 2021
“Just now we have received information from the Tokyo Paralympic COVID control room that six of our para-athletes have been found to be in close contact while they were traveling 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 flagbearer will not be able to join the march past today in the opening ceremony. Instead of Mariyappan now Tek Chand would be the new flagbearer,” he added.
Tek Chand, a javelin thrower who previously competed in the T/F54 category, will now compete in the T/F55 category. “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.
@ParalympicIndia Team Officials at @Tokyo2020 @Paralympics Games, Japan for March Past Opening Ceremony.
Join us to cheer our Paralympians, #JaiHind #Cheer4India #Praise4Para #Paralympics #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/ejc4ikXbKy— Paralympic India 🇮🇳 #Cheer4India 🏅 #Praise4Para (@ParalympicIndia) August 24, 2021
Mariyappan, who will compete in the men’s high jump F42 event, is permitted to train but must adhere to strict time constraints. With a jump of 1.89 meters, the 26-year-old from Salem, had won India’s first gold at the 2016 Rio Paralympics. Following that, he was awarded the Khel Ratna, India’s highest sporting honour.
India has sent 54 athletes to the Tokyo Paralympics — the highest in history. Fans have been banned from the Paralympics due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases in Tokyo.
