Indian sprinter Dutee Chand said the heat she received after announcing her relationship with a girl does not bother her anymore, after returning from Italy. She won a gold medal in the 100m event there in the World University Games at Napoli. Also Read - PV Sindhu Reveals Turning Point of Her Career, Says Beating Olympic Champion Li Xuerui Gave me Confidence

The athlete was subjected to a series of hateful comments and depreciation after she opened up about her same-sex relationship. Even her family members, including her mother and sister, did not stand by her and publicly condemned her action. But on returning to India, she said she is not worried about them and that her personal issues do not impact her professional life. Also Read - Have Offered to Support Dutee Chand Many Times, Says Parth Jindal

She further said that her next aim is now to repeat a similar kind of performance and win gold in the next World Championship. She would be on a foreign land practising particularly for the global event set to be held from September 28 to October 6, 2019, in Doha, Qatar. Also Read - Dutee Chand Worried About Tokyo Olympics 2020 Qualification as COVID-19 Shuts Door on European Competition

Dutee further emphasized on the importance of sports for the young generation of the country. She said that children should concentrate on games and other activities with seriousness beside their studies.

She also talked about how support at a very young age is important for anyone to evolve as a sportsperson. “I got so many encouragements from eminent personalities which boost up my self-confidence to achieve this prestigious recognition,” she said.

Dutee Chand won gold in the 100-metre event at Napoli after finishing the race in just 11.32 seconds. However, her record in 100m is 11.24 seconds. Earlier, she had clinched a gold in the same event at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta, becoming the first ever Indian to get the top spot in podium there since 1998. She also became the third Indian women sprinter to have ever participated in the Olympics during the 2016 edition in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.