Tokyo Olympics: Dutee Chand fails to qualify for women's 200m final event

Indian sprinter Dutee Chand failed to qualify for the women’s 200m final at the Tokyo Olympics on Monday (August 2). Chand was in Heat 4, which included Christine Mboma and Gabrielle Thomas. Indeed, it was Mboma and Thomas who finished first and second. Chand was always expected to struggle, given her personal best was 23.00 seconds whereas others’ was 22-odd seconds. And that was how things panned out. Chand was behind the field with the race about halfway done and that was where she finished. As such, she will not qualify for the final that will be held later in the day. (Tokyo 2020 full coverage)

The format is such that the top three make it directly to the event, while the next three make it to the semi-final. Dutee finished seventh, bringing an end to her campaign.

It also continued the barren run for Indian track and field athletes. Kamalpreet Kaur will have a chance to break that run later today. She will be in the final of the women’s discus event.

India at the Tokyo Olympics

The Tokyo Olympics, which was delayed by a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, is now up and running. The Games have not been without their share of controversies, however.

The event is happening despite plenty of protests from the Japanese people against it. And the angst is not without reason. Tokyo is currently in a state of emergency due to a rise in COVID cases.

The Games will by and large be played out in the absence of fans, always a major psychological blow to athletes. There’s also been a number of cases reported in the Olympic village itself.

Nevertheless, the Games remain an event that many around the world will be keen to watch. From July 23 to August 8, many will be hooked onto their televisions to follow the events.