COVID-19 shuts door of European competition for Dutee, worried about Olympic qualification

India's fastest woman Dutee Chand is wary of missing out of Olympics after she was deprived of her training-cum-competition stint in Germany due to COVID-19 pandemic, which affected her plans to qualify for Olympics. 24-year-old Dutee was to train and take part in Olympic qualifying events in Germany from March 2 but despite getting visa and sponsorship, she could t make it re as Europe has w turned into an epicenter of coronavirus outbreak.

Dutee worried about Olympic qualification

"I was to go for a training-cum-competition stint in Germany from March 2. I was planning to run in some quality competitions in Europe and hoping to qualify for Olympics. But all my plans fell apart due to this coronavirus," Dutee told PTI from Patiala where she is taking part in first leg of Indian Grand Prix series on Friday. "I have got visa and or travel documents and was ready to go to Germany. But suddenly I got mess from training base in Germany that I should t come due to spread of coronavirus. I am very disappointed," said national record holder 100m sprinter.

Asked how confident she is about qualifying for Tokyo Olympics scheduled for July-August, Dutee, who won a silver each in both 100m and 200m in 2018 Asian Games, said, "I don't kw. I am worried that I may t qualify for Olympics. "It is very tough to qualify for Olympics, qualification mark is 11.15 seconds. You get good competitors in Europe and that pushes up your timing. Here only five athletes are taking part in 100m (in Indian GP). Competition is t much here," said Dutee, who has a personal best of 11.22 secs.  She is still hoping that situation caused by virus improves in days to come and she gets some quality competitions in Europe.

"I kw situation is bad and I may t get any race in Europe. But I am still hoping. w I have se Indian GP series and Federation Cup (in Patiala next month) to try and qualify for Olympics. Let us see." Talking about threat of coronavirus wrecking havoc in many countries in world, she said, " situation is bad. I am t going out or than for training, t doing any or n-essential things as you can get virus. I am training hard also as I cant stop doing that wher re is coronavirus or t.     "I am maintaining good hygiene, t having outside food, washing hands frequently. But I cant use sanitisers all time while training. Hope this situation is over fast in India and in world." 

Im credits: PTI