Indian sprinter Dutee Chand earns Tokyo Olympics qualifiication for 100, 200 metre events through world rankings
The Odisha government yesterday recommended the name of Dutee Chand for the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, the country's highest sporting honour.
There were 22 vacant positions in 100 metres event, while 15 positions in 200 metres. World Athletics had fixed June 29 as the last date to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics and then decided the Olympic qualifications based on world rankings. Dutee's world ranking in the 100m is 44th, while she is 51st in the 200m.
The Odisha government has recommended the name of Dutee Chand for the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, the country's highest sporting honour. Apart from Dutee, the Odisha government has sent five more names to the Sports Ministry.
Dutee broke her own national record in 100 meters at the Indian Grand Prix 4 in Patiala last week by clocking 11.7 seconds. She missed out on qualifying for the Olympics by 0.02 seconds.
Dutee wrote in a tweet, "I would like to thank the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Odisha, Shri Naveen Patnaik, for nominating me for the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award. May your blessings always be upon me."
@Naveen_Odishahttps://t.co/5onI2eW0AB
— Dutee Chand (@DuteeChand) June 29, 2021