Rio 2016-bound sprinter Dutee Chand pleads for new shoes

Dutee Chand is sprinting hard and she has her aim set — the coveted gold medal at the Rio Olympics where she would compete in the 100-metre event, the first Indian woman to do so in 36 years

New Delhi: Dutee Chand is sprinting hard and she has her aim set — the coveted gold medal at the Rio Olympics where she would compete in the 100-metre event, the first Indian woman to do so in 36 years. Dutee has brought her chequered career back on track by clinching Olympic qualification earlier this month with a national record. This 20-year-old from Odisha is now aiming to do what no Indian athlete has managed so far — win a gold medal at ‘the greatest show on earth’.

Dutee Chand

"I will compete with the best sprinters in the world. So, I am taking rigorous training and devoting all my time towards better performance and clinch the gold medal at the Olympics," said Dutee. "Even though it is not very easy to win a medal at the Olympics, I will put in my heart and soul and ensure that I give my best," she added. However, the ace sprinter is unhappy with the lack of support from the government and asserted that more should be done to encourage Indian athletes.

"Odisha Chief Minister (Naveen Patnaik) wished me for the Olympics. With his good wishes and blessings, I would definitely try to win a gold medal at the Rio Olympics."

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