The Paralympic symbol "Three Agitos" is seen in Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward in May 2021. (Mainichi/Koichiro Tezuka)

       TOKYO -- A Georgian male Paralympic athlete is suspected of crash tackling a security guard at a Tokyo hotel on Aug. 12, leaving the man with severe injuries, the Mainichi Shimbun has learned from sources close to the incident.

       The security staff member in his 60s filed a complaint with the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), accusing the athlete of causing bodily harm, and police are investigating the incident. The athlete was quarantined at the hotel as a measure to prevent coronavirus infections.

       According to multiple sources, the athlete allegedly tackled the security guard in the hallway of the hotel floor where he was staying on the morning of Aug. 12, and the guard suffered serious injuries including a broken rib. The athlete had apparently been drinking alcohol at the time. The security guard was quoted as explaining to the MPD, "The male athlete came out of the room and suddenly came toward me without saying anything."

       Georgian athletes were quarantined at the hotel as part of follow-up measures as they had been in close contact with one athlete in the Georgian delegation who tested positive for the coronavirus when entering Japan.

       (Japanese original by Shota Harumashi, Tokyo City News Department, and Hidenori Kitamura, Niigata Bureau)

       Font Size S M L Print Timeline 0