Mariyappan Thangavelu has been replaced by javelin thrower (F-54 category) Tek Chand as India’s flag bearer for the Tokyo Paralympics, which gets underway today.
Mariyappan, 26, has been replaced on the advice by the organising committee after the Rio Paralympics gold medallist long jumper came in close contact with a COVID-19 foreign patient en route to Tokyo, according to the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI). 

"Though on reaching the Games Village, he has been tested for six days and all his reports have come negative, the Organising Committee has advised not to let Mariyaapan participate in the opening ceremony," PCI informed.