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From her battle against the IAAF gender testing
rules to coming out as a lesbian in what is still a highly
conservative country, Chand is used to making headlines but she
hopes over the next year they will mainly be about her sporting
prowess.
India's fastest woman, Chand holds the national record for the
100 meters with a time of 11.24 seconds and is a former Asian
junior champion as well as Asian Games silver medalist in the
blue riband event.
The jump from national or continental success to global
contender is a big one, however, and her season's best time of
11.26 ranks her only joint 78th in the world.
Still, with a year to go until Tokyo, the 23-year-old from
Jaipur is confident she will make the qualifying mark of 11.15.
"I believe that hard work always pays off and I am working
diligently to win more laurels for my country in the upcoming
competitions," Chand told Reuters in an interview.
"My training schedule is pretty tough at the moment ... but I
have seen that my timing has improved a lot compared to before.
I am working really hard and am sure it will pay off. I feel I
will qualify for the Olympics this year."
Given the events ahead of her maiden appearance at the Olympics
in Rio in 2016, Chand could be forgiven for a little relief that
qualifying times are all she has to worry about.
Her hyperandrogenism - a medical condition that naturally
produces high testosterone levels in women - thrust her to the
forefront of the debate over gender in athletics and she was
barred from competition for a year in 2014.
It was Chand's appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport that
saw contentious International Association of Athletics
Federations rules struck down in 2015, paving the way for
hyperandrogenic athletes to compete in sprints.
COMING OUT
Chand went on to become the first Indian woman since 1980 to
compete in the 100m at the Olympics, although she was unable to
progress beyond the heats in Brazil.
Comments aimed at her about a perceived lack of femininity by
some in her homeland continued unabated, however, and in May she
laid herself open to more abuse from social conservatives.
Chand caused a shockwave when she revealed she was dating a
woman from her village in eastern Odisha state. She was praised
for her courage but the revelation soured ties with her family.
Last year India's Supreme Court scrapped a colonial-era ban on
gay sex but while it no longer carries a punishment of up to 10
years in prison, same-sex relationships are still considered
taboo by many in the country.
The revelation did not discourage sponsors - she signed a
two-year deal with German sportswear company Puma this month -
and Chand said her overwhelming feeling after coming out was one
of relief.
"I don't feel there has been any pressure on me since I have
discussed my personal life openly," she added.
"In fact, I have received a lot of support and encouragement for
speaking up about my choices.
"I felt pressured when I was in the hiding. Not anymore.
"I am sure my achievements have made things easier for me but I
also feel that people in our country have a greater acceptance
level now and appreciate honesty over false identities."
In July, Chand clinched gold in the 100m sprint at a global meet
when she clocked 11.32 seconds at the World University Games in
Naples.
"The World University Games Gold medal was a great confidence
booster for me. It highlighted my talents, my performance and
dedication," she said.
"I received a lot of appreciation and support after this win and
I look forward to winning more competitions such as these in the
future and making my country proud.
"Gold medal always feels great. In fact, any appreciation or
acknowledgement is a great morale booster. The more medals I
win, the more my ambitions and confidence levels increase."
(Reporting by Sudipto Ganguly; editing by Nick Mulvenney)
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