I can run without questions being raised about my ineligibility. I feel I got my life back, says Dutee Chand

When I heard that CAS had allowed me to participate again in international meets, I felt like I got my life back. Over the past year I was facing an uncertain future. Running is all I know and it is what I love the most. Till the verdict was pronounced I did not know what the future held in store. This is the happiest day of my life.

What I had to face was not fair. I had the right to run and compete but that right was taken away from me. Now I am happy no other female would have to face what I have faced.

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How difficult was it for you to train and participate in domestic meets and at the Asian Athletics championships knowing that it could possibly be one of the last times you competed?

As much as I tried to stay focused on training and improving my endurance and strength, at the back of my mind there was a tension as to what would CAS conclude? Will they let me run? If they don’t what will I do? This one year was the most difficult period of my life. Yet I am happy that I could still compete and win gold at the National Games and a silver and bronze at the Federation Cup and the Inter-state Championships, respectively.

What kind of support did you receive as you challenged the IAAF regulations on hyperandrogenism?

I am very thankful to the Orissa Olympic Committee, the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs, the Sports Authority of India, the KIIT University and the railways for supporting me. I also have great appreciation of Dr Payoshni Mitra, who convinced me to take my case to CAS and the entire legal team. However, during this time I also realised who my real friends are and who I can depend on in times of crisis and who I cannot trust. There are some people who praised me to the sky before I was barred from competing and then ditched me completely when they realised that I may never run again.

What was the reaction of fellow athletes after you returned to competition after initially being barred?

Most of my competitors and fellow athletes were supportive but I knew that it was important that the CAS verdict goes in my favour if I was to continue competing.

When my performances dipped because I could not train properly, some athletes and officials suggested that I was wasting my time by appealing to CAS. They told me that it would be better to undergo therapy or surgery according to the regulations and make a comeback. But I knew that I had done nothing wrong. I was brought up as a girl and wanted to run and compete without having to be told that I had to change. I am happy that I can now run without questions being raised about my ineligibility.

What are your main targets now?

I want to qualify for the Olympic Games and hopefully run in the final. However, my training has been disrupted because of the tension of waiting for the CAS verdict.

I request the sports ministry and SAI to send me abroad for a training stint so that I can focus on giving my best for the Olympics.