Dutee pleads MEA to help get visa for European races

New Delhi : India's fastest woman Dutee Chand on Thursday requested the External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to help her get visa so that she can participate in a couple of races in Europe in her bid to qualify for the World Athletics Championships.

Dutee, who recently became the first Indian woman track and field athlete to clinch a gold medal in the World University Games, is slated to run 100m dash in two IAAF-approved races -- one in Ireland on August 13 and another in Germany on August 19. But she is yet to get her visa.

"Want to participate in @iaaforg tournaments in Ireland & Germany on 13 and 19 Aug rsptvly.

My Visa formalities have not been completed due to some reasons.

Request @DrSJaishankar & @MEAIndia to intervene at the earliest and help me participate in the race," the 23-year-old sprinter tweeted.