Dutee Chand, a renowned Indian sprinter, has made significant contributions to Indian athletics. Her journey, marked by both triumph and controversy, is an inspiring story of resilience and determination.

Wiki/Biography

Dutee Chand was born on February 3, 1996 (age 28 as of 2024), under the Aquarius zodiac sign. She hails from Jajpur District, Odisha. Her schooling was at a local school in Chaka Gopalpur Village, Odisha. She later earned a Bachelor of Laws from KIIT University, Bhubaneshwar, in 2013. Her early interest in sports manifested in childhood games; villagers often remarked on her constant running.

Encouraged by her sister, she started running along the village river. College brought her to the attention of coaches, leading to training for college events and subsequent successes at state and national levels. Further training took her to Patiala and then to Hyderabad’s Pullela Gopichand Academy under coach N Ramesh. Training amongst boys fostered her confidence; her sister, Saraswati, was a constant source of support and motivation.

Physical Appearance

• Height (approx.): 5’6″
• Hair Colour: Black
• Eye Colour: Black

Family & Girlfriend

Born to Chakradhar Chand and Akhuji Chand, Dutee comes from a BPL (below poverty line) family. Her parents are weavers. She has five sisters and one brother. In an interview, she revealed the family’s financial struggles with a monthly income of just Rs. 500.

In May 2019, Dutee publicly shared her relationship with a 19-year-old woman from her village, becoming the first openly gay Indian sportsperson. This announcement, while met with widespread appreciation, also faced family opposition.

Career

Dutee’s career began in 2012 with a National Championship win (under-18, 100m). Highlights include a bronze medal at the 2013 Asian Athletics Championships (Pune), reaching the 2013 World Youth Championships 100m final (a first for an Indian), and multiple national championships.

She won gold medals at the 2014 Asian Junior Athletics Championships (200m and 4x400m relay). Her achievements continued with participation in the 2016 Asian Indoor Athletics Championships (60m, setting a national record) and the Rio Olympics (100m sprint). She broke the 100m national record multiple times.

Further successes include bronze medals at the 2017 Asian Athletics Championships (100m and 4x100m relay), a silver medal at the 2018 Asian Games (100m and 200m), and a historic gold medal in the 100m event at the 2019 World Universiade.

Controversies

In 2014, Dutee faced a ban due to hyperandrogenism (higher-than-permitted testosterone levels). The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) overturned this ban, citing insufficient evidence. In 2019, her public declaration of a same-sex relationship led to family conflict. In 2023, a four-year ban from the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) followed the detection of anabolic agents/SARMs in her samples; she intends to appeal this decision.

Car Collection

Dutee Chand’s car collection includes a BMW 5-series, a Mahindra XUV-500, a Tata Nano, and a Ford Aspire.

Facts

Dutee’s early life was marked by poverty, leading her and her sister to a government sports hostel. Her first professional running shoes were Goldstar, taking time to adjust to. She credits her elder sister, Saraswati, for unwavering support and pushing her towards her athletic career.

Recognizing her achievements, the Odisha government appointed her as an Assistant Manager in the Odisha Mining Corporation (2016) and granted her funds for Rio Olympics preparations. She’s received numerous accolades and has broken her own national records multiple times.

Other noteworthy facts include her appearances on KBC and in Time Magazine’s 100 Next list. She is known for her non-conformity to orthodoxy.

Achievements Summary

“`