Ace Sprinter Dutee Chand Thanks Odisha Government For All Support; Aims To Clock 11.10 Seconds In Tokyo

Bhubaneswar: India’s fastest woman runner Dutee Chand aims to clock 11.10 seconds in the Tokyo Olympics. The star sprinter from Odisha has qualified for the Olympics in the 100 meter and 200 meter categories. She will leave for Japan on July 21st with the national team. Speaking on the occasion of a felicitation ceremony organized by KIIT, Dutee credited her success to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for all the help in her sporting career. She also thanked Dr Achyuta Samanta, founder, KIIT and KISS for his wholehearted support to her.

The program was organized to felicitate the three sportspersons from KIIT – Dutee Chand, CA Bhabani Devi and Shivpal Singh who have been qualified for the Tokyo Olympics. Sports Physiotherapist Sudipta Satapathy, also working with KIIT, who will accompany the Indian delegation to Tokyo, was also felicitated by the institute.

Narrating her experiences in the last few months, Dutee said the Government of Odisha has been very helpful in providing her all the facilities and requirements. She said, “When the pandemic began in February 2020 and the Olympics were postponed, I thought that my ambition for participating in the Olympics for the second time may not get fulfill. There were lockdowns and shutdowns which hampered my training. I could not go to the ground and the gymnasium. But the government made special arrangements and allowed me to go to Kalinga Stadium for practice.

Odisha Sports Secretary Vishal Dev encouraged me a lot for my endeavors. I am also thankful to Pandian Sir, 5T Secretary, who always has been an inspiration for me. He used to come to the stadium early at 6.30 everyday and encourage me. Though he is an IAS officer, he regularly comes to the stadium. Once he appreciated me saying that you are the only sportsperson who comes to the ground regularly on time despite the pandemic and lockdowns and shutdowns. I see many people come here but they are all irregular and not sincere like you. I strongly believe that you will make it to the Tokyo Olympics. This inspired very much.”