#MeetTheMedalists: All you need to know about Dutee Chand
Dutee Chand etched her name in the record books by winning two individual medals at the Asian Games 2018. She won the silver medal in 200m after finishing second in 100m race earlier. The 22-year-old Odisha sprinter has battled all odds to create a name for herself among the nation's best athletes. Here we look at the achievements of Dutee Chand.
Asian Games feat sees Dutee join these legends
The Odisha athlete joined the likes of PT Usha and Sunita Rani in winning more than one individual medal in the same edition of Asian Games. The legendary PT Usha had bagged 4 medals at the 1986 Seoul Asian Games in 200m, 400m, 400m hurdles and 4*400m relay. Rani had clinched two medals at the 2002 Busan Asian Games (1,500m and 5,000m).
A look at Dutee and her background
She was born on February 3 in Jajpur district of Odisha. Her parents belonged to a 'Below Poverty Line' (BPL) family of weavers. She drew inspiration from her elder sister Saraswati Chand, who was an athlete herself. The 22-year-old is currently employed with the state PSU, the Odisha Mining Corporation Limited. She began her sprinting career in 2012.
Chand and her achievements
Dutee became a national champion in the U-18 category in 2012. Her silver medal in the 100m at the Asian Games 2018 is India's first after a period of 20 years. She has won three bronze medals in the Asian Championships, besides two gold medals at the Asian Junior Athletics Championships. She is also the national record holder in 100m.
Dutee fought against the hyperandrogenism policy
In 2014, Dutee was dropped from the Commonwealth Games contingent, after the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) stated she can't take part as a female athlete because of her hyperandrogenism condition. She, even, had to miss the 2014 Asian Games as well. However, Chand appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sports in 2015 and was cleared to race again.
What is hyperandrogenism?
Hyperandrogenism is also known as androgen excess. This is a medical condition, where excessive level of male sex hormones, such as testosterone, are present in the female body. The symptoms of hyperandrogenism are usually treated with antiandrogens.
