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.

Dutee Chand

One may fall in love anytime and with anyone. One does not decide that based on caste, religion or gender.

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.

Dutee Chand

Ways Way Wanted

Gold medal always feels great. In fact, any appreciation or acknowledgement is a great morale booster.

Dutee Chand

Men Knowledge Great

My dream is to see athletes also getting the same recognition, fame, success and money as cricketers, footballers and hockey players get in India.

Dutee Chand

Success Money Tin

An award or an honour from the government is always welcomed any time.

Dutee Chand

War Time Men

It is the dream of every athlete to qualify and compete in the Olympics and I am no different.

Dutee Chand

Pet Very T

I used to run barefoot, wearing a frock. During the rains, I used to run on stones and puddles.

Dutee Chand

Wearing Wear Used

The World University Games Gold medal was a great confidence booster for me. It highlighted my talents, my performance and dedication.

Dutee Chand

Great World University

In India, tradition is paramount. Husband-wife relationship is okay. They do not allow girls to go out.

Dutee Chand

Relationship Wife Us

Freedom to love and freedom to choose who you love are one's basic rights and we shouldn't be scared to exercise them.

Dutee Chand

Love Freedom Car

I don't have the resources to maintain luxury cars, though I love them.

Dutee Chand

Love Car Though

I believe in individual freedom and right to decide how and with whom I will live my life.

Dutee Chand

Life Freedom Wit

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.

Dutee Chand

Diet Age Very

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.

Dutee Chand

Food Who Up

I am sure my association with a big brand like PUMA is really going to help me in the long run.

Dutee Chand

Wit UN T

Follow your heart, and don't be subservient to anyone. Shut out the world, and only listen to your heart to fulfill your dreams.

Dutee Chand

Dreams Art Your Dreams

I think Priyanka Chopra did a very good job in 'Mary Kom.'

Dutee Chand

Good Ya Very

I have always supported the rights of those who want to be in a same-sex relationship. It is an individual person's choice.

Dutee Chand

Relationship Who Ways

One should not poke their nose into the private life of other persons.

Dutee Chand

Life T Sons

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.

Dutee Chand

Experience Age Would

I prefer to train alone at SAI camp in Hyderabad. I don't train at national camp at NIS Patiala.

Dutee Chand

No one likes to make their personal life public.

Dutee Chand

Yeah, I am controversy's favourite child. But I am of the opinion that I come back stronger after every controversy.

Dutee Chand

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.

Dutee Chand

My elder sister Saraswati is my inspiration.

Dutee Chand

My parents are weavers. They worked very hard to give us our daily food.

Dutee Chand

I can't spend my life worrying about others.

Dutee Chand

I never stopped believing in myself. I had faith in my god.

Dutee Chand

No one can live without love.

Dutee Chand

I will try hard to win more medals for the country and make India proud.

Dutee Chand

I want to be able to serve people. For that it's important that I'm with them, among them and working for them.

Dutee Chand

There are five members in my family.

Dutee Chand

There is no greater emotion than love and it should not be denied.

Dutee Chand

As a child, I used to laugh when my mother spanked me. No matter what she did, she could never get me to cry.

Dutee Chand

I would worry that one morning I would wake up and be told that I can't compete any more.

Dutee Chand

Look, there's no proof that athletes like us who may have higher testosterone levels are benefiting from this natural human body trait.

Dutee Chand

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.

Dutee Chand

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.

Dutee Chand

We all have the right to be happy and to love someone without any inhibitions.

Dutee Chand

As a kid, I didn't even know what non-vegetarian food is because we never had it prepared in our house.

Dutee Chand

My family has always been very supportive of me and my choice of sport.

Dutee Chand

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.'

Dutee Chand

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.

Dutee Chand

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.

Dutee Chand

My story is very long. And for somebody to write a good story, one needs a good writer, too.

Dutee Chand

Participation in international events has given me a lot of experience.

Dutee Chand

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.

Dutee Chand

When I participated in Rio Olympics in 2016, I failed to grab a medal. But it was a learning experience.

Dutee Chand

My whole life has been about fighting for what I want, what I believe in.

Dutee Chand

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.

Dutee Chand