One may fall in love anytime and with anyone. One does not decide that based on caste, religion or gender.
Dutee Chand
When I was a kid, I dreamt of being a runner. My mother and father always told me to go after what I wanted. I went after running.
Gold medal always feels great. In fact, any appreciation or acknowledgement is a great morale booster.
My dream is to see athletes also getting the same recognition, fame, success and money as cricketers, footballers and hockey players get in India.
An award or an honour from the government is always welcomed any time.
It is the dream of every athlete to qualify and compete in the Olympics and I am no different.
I used to run barefoot, wearing a frock. During the rains, I used to run on stones and puddles.
The World University Games Gold medal was a great confidence booster for me. It highlighted my talents, my performance and dedication.
In India, tradition is paramount. Husband-wife relationship is okay. They do not allow girls to go out.
Freedom to love and freedom to choose who you love are one's basic rights and we shouldn't be scared to exercise them.
I don't have the resources to maintain luxury cars, though I love them.
I believe in individual freedom and right to decide how and with whom I will live my life.
When I began running at the age of 10, I didn't have the diet athletes need. It was just rice and vegetables. Every day.
The kids who take up athletics actually come from modest to poor backgrounds. They make it on their own steam; some of them don't even have the basic means like shoes and enough food to eat.
I am sure my association with a big brand like PUMA is really going to help me in the long run.
Follow your heart, and don't be subservient to anyone. Shut out the world, and only listen to your heart to fulfill your dreams.
I think Priyanka Chopra did a very good job in 'Mary Kom.'
I have always supported the rights of those who want to be in a same-sex relationship. It is an individual person's choice.
One should not poke their nose into the private life of other persons.
For somebody like me, who has trained barefoot in a small village in Odisha, I know training without proper facilities can be extremely difficult. Having experienced it all, I would like to give back to my community by creating a running academy for children.
I prefer to train alone at SAI camp in Hyderabad. I don't train at national camp at NIS Patiala.
No one likes to make their personal life public.
Yeah, I am controversy's favourite child. But I am of the opinion that I come back stronger after every controversy.
I believe nobody has the right to judge me as an athlete because of my decision to be with who I want. It is a personal decision, which should be respected.
My elder sister Saraswati is my inspiration.
My parents are weavers. They worked very hard to give us our daily food.
I can't spend my life worrying about others.
I never stopped believing in myself. I had faith in my god.
No one can live without love.
I will try hard to win more medals for the country and make India proud.
I want to be able to serve people. For that it's important that I'm with them, among them and working for them.
There are five members in my family.
There is no greater emotion than love and it should not be denied.
As a child, I used to laugh when my mother spanked me. No matter what she did, she could never get me to cry.
I would worry that one morning I would wake up and be told that I can't compete any more.
Look, there's no proof that athletes like us who may have higher testosterone levels are benefiting from this natural human body trait.
Animals in the streets have tough lives, so it's up to all of us to speak out if we ever witness them being abused.
I think people will see my medals and my performance for my country and not what I do off the field. They like me because I win for the country and I will continue to do so.
We all have the right to be happy and to love someone without any inhibitions.
As a kid, I didn't even know what non-vegetarian food is because we never had it prepared in our house.
My family has always been very supportive of me and my choice of sport.
When I came out, initially, I faced some mocking. For the first 10-15 days, sometimes when I was out in public, people would shout things like 'lesbian.'
In my village, people believed that women should stay in their homes. However, I followed my heart and showed them that I'll not succumb to their regressive ideals.
I would urge youngsters to pick up a sport while pursuing your studies as it will keep you fit and you could make your country proud in the field of sports.
My story is very long. And for somebody to write a good story, one needs a good writer, too.
Participation in international events has given me a lot of experience.
One day, they told me that due to hyperandrogenism, I cannot compete. I appealed and fought it and came back to win for the country. Coming out was easier than that.
When I participated in Rio Olympics in 2016, I failed to grab a medal. But it was a learning experience.
My whole life has been about fighting for what I want, what I believe in.
When my elder sister decided to pursue sports, she faced a lot of music at home. We didn't have a TV in our village, so no one understood the value of sports. But my sister convinced my parents that participating in sports would mean a secure job in the government.
