Samikhsya Bureau
Champion sprinter Dutee Chand on Sunday revealed that she is in a same-sex relationship with her ‘soulmate.’
Dutee Chand, the 100 m record holder and winner of two silver medals at the 2018 Asian Games, said that she is in a relationship with a girl from her hometown Chaka Gopalpur in Orissa.
She, however, did not reveal her identify as she does not want her to become ‘the centre of undue attention’.
“I have found someone who is my soulmate. I believe everyone should have the freedom to be with whoever they decide they want to be with. I have always supported the rights of those who want to be in a same-sex relationship. It is an individual person’s choice. Currently, my focus is on the World Championships and the Olympic Games but in the future, I would like to settle down with her,” Dutee told The Sunday Express.
The 2018 Asian Games silver medallist is the first Indian sports star to publicly admit to being in a same-sex relationship.
LGBT marriages are still not legal in India but there is no law which prohibits same-sex relationships. In September last year, the Supreme Court, in a historic verdict, had decriminalised Section 377 which criminalised same-sex relationships.
Dutee said that the Supreme Court’s historic verdict gave her the courage to open up and publicly admit her relationship. She said her decision should be respected and added that she will continue to work hard and win more medals for India.
“I have always believed that everyone should have the freedom to love. There is no greater emotion than love and it should not be denied. The Supreme Court of India has also struck down the old law. 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. I will continue to strive to win medals for India at international meets,” Dutee said.
Dutee is currently preparing to compete in the World Championships after which she will start her training for the Tokyo Olympics in 2020.
Born and brought up in a poor family, Dutee Chand faced a lot of struggles in her life but she never gave up on her dreams of representing India and has been one of the flag bearers of women’s athletics in the country.
Dutee won two silver medals at the Asian Games 2018 with second place finishes in the women’s 100m and 200m finals.
The 100m medal was India’s first in the event in 20 years while the 200m silver was the first after 16 years in the event.
With UNI inputs
