Image Courtesy: Olympics
With an Olympic qualifying position insight, national record-holder Dutee Chand said on Wednesday that her goal for the forthcoming Tokyo Games is to improve her timing and make the 100m final. Dutee has yet to beat the qualifying time of 11.15 seconds, although she is anticipated to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics based on international rankings. Out of the 56 competitors competing, 33 will qualify and the others will be chosen based on their rankings.
The 25-year-old, who has a personal best of 11.22 seconds, is presently ranked 42nd on World Athletics’ Road to Tokyo list, which includes athletes who have already qualified based on entry standard timing. The deadline for qualification is June 29, and the final list of entrants will be released on July 1. Dutee is currently at the national camp at NIS Patiala.
Due to travel restrictions imposed on Indians as a result of the COVID-19 crisis in the country, Dutee missed the World Relay Championships in Poland in May and two contests in Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan this month.
In the Olympics, sixteen teams will compete in the women’s 4x100m relay, and the country in 16th place on the Road to Tokyo having a time of 43.05 seconds. India is presently ranked 22nd in the Asian Championships, with a score of 43.81.
She stated that the next month will be critical in terms of training since she wants to enhance her timing.
“Is it a crime to love another person?” she replied when asked about the controversy surrounding her connection with a woman from her hometown in Odisha. “Some people may fall in love with someone of the opposite sex, while others may fall in love with someone of the same sex. What exactly is the issue?”
“I am being seen by some as somebody who creates controversy. But it is about one’s choice. I love my partner who is a woman and she loves me also. I have not forced her. We want to settle down together in life” She said.