TWO Lesotho Paralympic Team officials who are currently in Tokyo, Japan for the 2020 Paralympic Games, which began on Tuesday have tested positive for COVID-19.

According to the Lesotho Paralympics President, Limpho Rakoto, the two include the Team Coach, Thabiso Ratšoane and the Team Manager, Stephen Thoahlane.

She said the two tested positive for the disease upon arrival at the airport in Tokyo and were immediately taken to a hotel that is specifically assigned for quarantine purposes where they will be monitored for 14 days.

“Therefore, they are not at the house allocated to team Lesotho at the Paralympic village, but with all members of other teams from different countries who have similar cases. They had been vaccinated for COVID-19 prior to the trip, and their health is relatively stable,” Rakoto said.

Lesotho’s lone track and field athlete at the games, Litšitso Khotlele will compete in the discus throw event for the F61-F64 category on Sunday.

Khotlele and the Team Doctor are considered as close contacts and are thus undergoing close monitoring with minimal interaction from the public and other athletes.

“Fortunately, the athlete is allowed to attend training at agreed scheduled times. The team Doctor is with her, and proper counseling is being conducted,” Rajkot also said.

After being identified a close contact, Khotlele who was supposed to have raised the National Flag during the opening ceremony on Tuesday was not allowed to attend the parade in accordance with the COVID 19 protocols which were agreed upon by all the involved stakeholders while preparing for these games.

The National flag was therefore raised by a volunteer assigned to Team Lesotho.