Ahead of Tokyo Paralympics opening ceremony, 6 members of the Indian contingent, including flag-bearer Mariyappan Thangavelu have been identified as close contact of a COVID positive person and will not participate in the opening ceremony. Asian Gold medalist Tek Chand will be India’s new flag-bearer for the opening ceremony.
Confirming the news, India’s Chef de Mission for the Tokyo Paralympics, Gursharan Singh said, “Just now, we have received information from Tokyo Paralympics Games control room that six of our Paralympians are said to have been found in close contact while they were travelling to Tokyo in the flight. Out of the six, Mariyappan Thangavelu and Vinod Kumar have also been found to be in close contact of the person. Unfortunately, Mariyappan – who was the flag-bearer, would not be able to join the march past at the opening ceremony. Instead of Mariyappan, Tek Chand would be our new flag-bearer.”
Singh went on to add that both Mariyappan and Vinod had tested negative for Covid-19 at the Games Village and would be allowed to participate in their respective events.
“Also note that even though Mariyappan and Vinod Kumar were in close contact of the person, they have been found negative over the last six days in the Village and would be allowed to participate in their respective events and will also be allowed to go for practice. Although, they will have to adhere to the strict covid guidelines,” he said.
A total of 54 para-athletes from across nine sports disciplines will be featuring in the Paralympic Games. This is India’s biggest ever contingent to Paralympic Games. The Paralympic Games is scheduled to be held between August 24 and September 5.
Earlier, Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) chief Deepa Malik said he was confident of India’s best-ever show at Tokyo Games by Indian Paralympians.
“Absolutely, my expectations have already gone beyond what I was expecting. This year, India is sending the largest-ever contingent. I am very hopeful that we are going to create history,” Malik said.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- The Tokyo Paralympics opening ceremony will be held on August 24
- 6 Indian Paralympians came in contact with a Covid-positive person
- Tek Chand will replace Mariyappan Thangavelu as India’s flag-bearer
Ahead of Tokyo Paralympics opening ceremony, 6 members of the Indian contingent, including flag-bearer Mariyappan Thangavelu have been identified as close contact of a COVID positive person and will not participate in the opening ceremony. Asian Gold medalist Tek Chand will be India’s new flag-bearer for the opening ceremony.
Confirming the news, India’s Chef de Mission for the Tokyo Paralympics, Gursharan Singh said, “Just now, we have received information from Tokyo Paralympics Games control room that six of our Paralympians are said to have been found in close contact while they were travelling to Tokyo in the flight. Out of the six, Mariyappan Thangavelu and Vinod Kumar have also been found to be in close contact of the person. Unfortunately, Mariyappan – who was the flag-bearer, would not be able to join the march past at the opening ceremony. Instead of Mariyappan, Tek Chand would be our new flag-bearer.”
Singh went on to add that both Mariyappan and Vinod had tested negative for Covid-19 at the Games Village and would be allowed to participate in their respective events.
“Also note that even though Mariyappan and Vinod Kumar were in close contact of the person, they have been found negative over the last six days in the Village and would be allowed to participate in their respective events and will also be allowed to go for practice. Although, they will have to adhere to the strict covid guidelines,” he said.
A total of 54 para-athletes from across nine sports disciplines will be featuring in the Paralympic Games. This is India’s biggest ever contingent to Paralympic Games. The Paralympic Games is scheduled to be held between August 24 and September 5.
Earlier, Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) chief Deepa Malik said he was confident of India’s best-ever show at Tokyo Games by Indian Paralympians.
“Absolutely, my expectations have already gone beyond what I was expecting. This year, India is sending the largest-ever contingent. I am very hopeful that we are going to create history,” Malik said.
“It’s a contingent which is three times bigger in number, we have added four more sports in the past 4-5 years of gap between 2016-21.
“Almost two years have gone in the pandemic but despite that it’s a huge leap in the number of athletes qualifying,” Malik said during a virtual press conference to launch a joint campaign with Coca Cola-owned homegrown beverage brand Thums Up.
