When Dutee Chand, India’s medal hope in 100-metre sprint in upcoming Rio Olympics, met Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday, she had a request that stumped the bureaucrats at the CM’s office. Dutee, who beat several odds to qualify for the event, has expressed her desire that she be given three pairs of good quality spike running shoes.

Hailing from a poor weaver’s family in Odisha’s Jajpur district, the 20-year-old has been in the eye of a storm since last year when she was questioned over her gender, that eventually lead to a ban. Dutee, however, successfully got a reprieve last year when the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) held that the available evidence against her was inadequate for a ban.

‘Good luck’ gift

The national record holder in women’s 100 metre race left Mr. Patnaik charmed and his officials a little amused when she demanded the special shoes, terming them a “good luck” gift.

The request by

India’s Olympic

medal hope stumped Odisha CM

Naveen Patnaik