Against all odds, Dutee makes it to Olympics

Bhubaneswar: Braving a host of seemingly insurmountable odds – from a ban for hyperandrogenism to poor form after a long layoff from competitive sports – ace sprinter Dutee Chand on Saturday qualified for Olympics to be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil from Aug 5 to August 21.

According to sources, Dutee qualified for the Olympics after covering 100 metres in 11.30 seconds in a race held at Kazakhstan.

In her first reaction to OTV after qualifying for the once-in-four-years marquee event, Dutee said, “I am very happy for getting the tickets to Olympics. This success is an outcome 14 years of hard work and toil.”

“I am here because of the unstinting support of my family,” Dutee said.

Talking to OTV, Saraswati Chand said before the event her sister Dutee, in a facebook message, had told her that she is determined to qualify Olympic timing in Kazakhstan.

Chief minister Naveen Patnaik has also congratulated Dutee for qualifying for the Rio Olympics and wished him best of luck.

Terming her performance as historic, he said it is a moment of pride for Odisha
Expressing happiness over the stupendous performance of Dutee, Sports and Youth Affairs minister Sudam Marandi said the state government would provide all help to her.

Meanwhile, the Odisha Cricket Association (OCA) secretary Asirbad Behera has announced a cash award of Rs one lakh while the Odisha Olympic Association (OOA) has also announced a cash award of Rs 50,000 for Dutee.