Gopichand who helped Dutee in darkest hour proud of her achievement
Monday, August 27, 2018 IST
HIGHLIGHTS
*Dutee Chand clinched silver medal in women's 100m dash in the 18th Asian Games
*She was supported by Pullela Gopichand, the chief national badminton coach, during her struggling days
*Gopichand was ecstatic at Dutee emerging as the second fastest woman in Asia in the 100m event
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NEW DELHI: Dutee Chand grabbed the headlines when she won the silver medal in the 100m dash at the Asian Games on Sunday but her journey to the podium in Indonesia has been anything but smooth. High levels of testosterone saw her being suspended by the IAAF in 2014.
Not many know that when Dutee was going through all her struggles when she was banned and no one was willing to support her, she was supported by Pullela Gopichand, the chief national badminton coach. She still stays at the academy in Hyderabad. Gopichand, who is in Jakarta, was ecstatic at Dutee emerging as the second fastest woman in Asia in the 100m event.
Speaking to Timesofindia.com, Gopi said: "Today is an extremely happy day for me. What Dutee has achieved should be an inspiration for all athletes/sportspersons. Having gone through the stresses that she has, one can only salute her spirit and determination. I am sure she will be a role model for all who want to achieve against all odds."
Dutee clinched the country's first medal in 20 years in women's 100 event on Sunday. India's last medal in in this event was the bronze won by Rachita Mistry in 1998 Asian Games.
The 22-year-old Dutee, who took part in her first Asian Games, filed an appeal before the Court of Arbitration for Sports and won it.
Recently, under a revised rule of the IAAF, Dutee was left outside the purview of the hyperandrogenism policy which gave her liberty to pursue her career.
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