Mariyappan withdrawn as India’s flag-bearer
High-jumper Mariyappan Thangavelu was on Tuesday replaced by shot-putter Tek Chand as India’s flag-bearer for the Paralympics opening ceremony here this evening after coming in close contact of a COVID positive person during his flight to Tokyo. Mariyappan, a gold-medallist from Rio Olympics, has been quarantined along with five other Indians. Discus thrower Vinod Kumar is also among those withdrawn from the ceremony because of the same reason.
The opening ceremony of the Paralympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo was an inspiring affair as it was filled with emotional performances, sending out a strong message to the world. India was represented by para-javelin athlete Tek Chand as India entered the Parade of Nations as the 17th nation on Tuesday.
Rio Olympic gold medalist Mariyappan Thangavelu was supposed to be India’s flagbearer at the opening ceremony but the high jumper went into isolation after coming into close contact with a Covid-19 positive passenger on his trip to Tokyo. However, Mariyappan and the other athletes who went into isolation have returned negative tests. Tek Chand was accompanied by 8 officials as India, which will be represented by its biggest ever contingent of 54 athletes, made it to the Olympics Stadium.
The Paralympics have returned to Tokyo for the first time in 57 years, making the Japanese capital the first ever city to host the Games twice.
The ceremony was set in a ‘Para Airport’ -- a symbol of diversity and inclusion -- and began with a video that depicted the strength of para-athletes. In the video, a gentle breeze turns into a huge gust of wind that reaches the stadium and sweeps through the field of play. The Paralympic flame was lit up after the flag of the Paralympics was hoisted alongside the Japanese national flag.