Dutee Chand Takes A Dig At AFI For Setting ‘Tough Qualifying Time’ For CWG

Bhubaneswar: In a repeat of sorts, sprinter Dutee Chand, who had failed to qualify for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games last time in 2014, will miss the Games one more time after not being selected in the Indian contingent for the Gold Coast event.

In 2014, the sprinter from Odisha was dropped at the last moment for failing a hyperandrogenism test, which created a lot of stir in the sporting world. This time, however, she failed to touch the qualifying timing for the Commonwealth Games and has taken a sly dig at the Athletics Federation of India (AFI).

“I think the qualifying time set for the Commonwealth Games this time was intentional,” said Dutee, in an audio clip she sent from Geneva, Switzerland.

Though Dutee recently won gold medal in Indian Grand Prix and Federation Cup, she failed to match the qualifying mark of 11.15 seconds.

Dutee, who was hopeful of making the cut, had earlier said that the AFI might give her a chance as she has been winning medals for India and that the qualifying timing was even beyond her personal best.

“I have given a lot of medals to the country. In 2016, I represented my country in the Olympics. This year also I won a lot of medals. I feel keeping a tough qualifying timing was intentional,” she said.

From Odisha, Purnima Hembram and Jauna Murmu have been selected to participate in the Gold Coast Games.