DUTEE CHAND
ATHLETE
A small girl of 4ft 11 inches, hair tied into a ponytail, strong biceps and a confident face, she is one of the most inspiring figures in Indian sports. She is a girl who challenged powerful hulks to realize her destiny. She has won a number of medals, including the 2019 gold in the Summer Universidad, Napoli, in the 100 metres category—the first Indian woman sprinter to have won a gold at the event. Her silver at the Asian games of 100 m, was India’s second silver medal in this category after 32 years since P.T.Usha won it in 1986.
She is Dutee Chand. The Indian professional sprinter and current national champion in the women’s 100 metres event. She is the first Indian to have won a gold medal in the 100m race in a global competition. She is the third Indian woman to have qualified for the Women’s 100 metres event at the Summer Olympic Games.
Born into a poor weaver family, in the small village of Jajpur District of Odisha, Dutee struggled bravely to get a respectable position in the world of athletics despite various controversies at different points of time. “From a girl who used to run barefoot around a lake to becoming a sportsperson recognized across the world, it’s been a long, hard journey,” Dutee says. “People now see me for my sport, for my hard work and for what I stand.” She has represented India in various national and international competitions and bagged many National accolades to her credit.
VARINDIA salutes her as a rare gem on the crown of Odisha. She is Odisha’s pride, India’s face and one of its Crown Jewels of Odisha.
