Sprinter Dutee allowed for global events

In a sigh of relief to ace sprinter Dutee Chand, Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), Switzerland, has ruled that she can now participate in all international track and field events till hearing on her appeal against her indefinite ban from competition. Dutee informed this to a private new channel over phone from lausanne, Switzerland on the CAS decision. Dutee was unceremoniously pulled out from the Indian contingent for the Commonwealth Games on July 12 last year. After subjecting Dutee to a battery of tests and without providing her with any background or information, she was sent home.

Dutee was informed about the issue much later. She was diagnosed with a condition known as ‘hyperandrogenism’ (excess of androgens, which in this case meant excessive testosterone) and hence deemed ineligible to participate. Background to this ruling, was a decision in 2011 by the IAAF (International Amateur Athletics Federation) to test for excessive testosterone as a means to determine eligibility for participating in women’s athletics events.

She was deemed to be the guilty party and was pulled out of the Commonwealth games contingent.

She was given the option to return to the track on the condition that she takes hormone suppressing drugs or gets a surgery done to limit testosterone production. Dutee, however, turned down the offer. She later challenged the verdict against her by filing an appeal in the CAS in October last year. CAS reviewed her case and on December 21, 2014 and an interim order was passed by them allowing her to participate in domestic meets in India.

She had left India  for lausanne, Switzerland on March 21 for her hearing by CAS.