The smile was back on Dutee Chand’s face as the Railways sprinter, making a comeback after winning a landmark gender case, reigned supreme at the 55th National Open Athletic Championship at SAI Complex on Thursday.
Slow off the blocks, the sprinter from Odisha came into her elements midway into the 100m sprint, edging past her state and teammate Srabani Nanda just before the finish line with a time of 11.68 seconds, not very far from her personal best of 11.62.
I was under pressure, coming into this event. A little nervous as well. I didn’t perform at my peak, for I knew I could get better. But this win will give me the confidence
– Dutee Chand to The Indian Express
The Railways sprinter, who had won 100m and 200m double in National Open Athletics Ranchi 2013, was banned since last summer after failing a hormone test.
But the Court of Arbitration for Sport, in its July verdict, suspended the “hyperandrogenism” rules, which will be scrapped if IAAF cannot provide new evidence.
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