High-jumper Mariyappan Thangavelu was on Tuesday supplanted by lance hurler Tek Chand as India’s banner conveyor for the Paralympics opening function here this evening in the wake of coming in close contact of a COVID positive individual during his trip to Tokyo.
Mariyappan, a gold-medallist from Rio Olympics, has been isolated alongside five different Indians. Disk hurler Vinod Kumar is additionally among those removed from the function as a result of a similar explanation.
“Seconds ago we have gotten a data from the Tokyo Paralympic COVID control room that 6 of our para competitors have been observed to be in close contact while they were heading out to Tokyo,” India’s Chef de Mission Gursharan Singh said.
Out of the six, Mariyappan and Vinod Kumar have likewise been observed to be in close contact. Remorsefully, Mariyappan who was the banner conveyor can not join the walk past today in the initial service.
“Rather than Mariyappan now Tek Chand would be the new banner conveyor,” he added.
Singh, nonetheless, clarified that both Mariyappan and Vinod will contend in their occasions as they have tried negative for the infection up until this point.
“In any case, both Mariyappan and Vinod Kumar have been observed to be negative since most recent six days and they will actually want to take part in their particular occasions and be permitted to work on holding fast to severe COVID rules,” he added.
India’s sports mentor Satyanarayana likewise affirmed the turn of events. Six authorities and five para-competitors were relied upon to partake in the initial service. Other than Mariyappan, different competitors who were to be essential for the occasion were Vinod, Tek Chand and force lifters Jaideep and Sakina Khatun.
India will be addressed by 54 para competitors — the greatest ever unforeseen throughout the entire existence of the Games.