Dutee Chand gender case to be reopened

Bhubaneswar: Sprinter Dutee Chand’s career is under threat again with the International Association of Athletics Federations saying it would move the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland with more evidence in support of its hyperandrogenism policy.

In an interim order ruling in July 2015, the CAS panel had suspended the IAAF regulations governing eligibility of females with hyperandrogenism to compete for a maximum period of two years in order to give the IAAF the opportunity to provide the CAS with scientific evidence about the quantitative relationship between enhanced testosterone levels and improved athletic performance in hyperandrogenic athletes.

Following the interim order, CAS had allowed Dutee to compete in all international events for the next two years.

After the CAS partially upheld her appeal in an interim order two years back, Dutee was allowed to “continue to compete” till a final decision by the CAS on her appeal against the IAAF’s hyperandrogenism policy.

Now that the IAAF has decided to pursue the case again, 21-year-old Dutee’s appeal against the world body’s policy will be in the limelight with many activists in India and abroad opposing it, terming it as a case of ‘gender bias’.

Pakistan team arrive for Asian athletics

Meanwhile, ending speculation, a six-member Pakistan team reached Bhubaneswar in Odisha on Monday to participate in the Asian Athletics Championships.

President of the Pakistan Athletics Federation Akram Sahi expressed happiness after reaching the Biju Patnaik International Airport here and lauded the efforts of the Athletics Federation of India.

Vikas Gowda finally cleared for meet

The uncertainty over reigning champion discus thrower Vikas Gowda’s participation in the event ended on Tuesday with the national federation finally clearing his name at the last minute after a lot of deliberation.
High hurdler Siddhanth Thingalaya, who underwent a trial at the Kalinga Stadium, venue of the championships, on Sunday was also cleared to take part in the biennial continental flagship event.
Gowda could only throw the discus to 57.79m, which some national coaches thought would not be in the medal bracket.