High-jumper Mariyappan Thangavelu was on Tuesday replaced by shot-putter Tek Chand as India’s flag-bearer for the Paralympics opening ceremony here after coming in close contact with a COVID-19 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 Discus thrower Vinod Kumar is also among those withdrawn from the ceremony because of the same reason.