After a fake Twitter account fooled many of her supporters, Indian sprinter Dutee Chand has finally got her real Twitter account verified.
Gold medalist at the Asian Championships 2019 at Doha, Dutee had posted a tweet on Monday, 27 May, stating that someone had created a fake Twitter account in her name.
“Someone has opened a fake ID with my name. I will request everyone following me on @Twitter to ignore tweets from any other handle claiming to be me. This is my original twitter handle. Thank you for your consistent support!” she wrote on her original Twitter handle.
The 23-year-old came under the spotlight after she became the first-ever Indian athlete to reveal that she was in a same-sex relationship.
The sprinter was then both criticised and supported for coming out. United Nations Women also came out in support of the 23-year-old, after she had announced her relationship in public.
“Dutee Chand, a champion sprinter with village roots, has become India’s first openly gay professional athlete,” wrote UN Women on their Twitter page.
After recently getting her Twitter account verified, the Odisha-based athlete acknowledged her supporters.
Dutee Chand also thanked the New York Times for supporting her in her #StandWithDutee campaign.
Popular American TV show host and advocate for gay rights Ellen DeGeneres also appreciated Dutee.
“She’s the 100m record holder and the first openly gay sportsperson in India. I guess she knows a thing or two about being first. I’m so proud of her,” wrote Ellen on her official Twitter handle.
Chairman of Mahindra group Anand Mahindra had praised the Asian Champion for her courage writing, “By revealing this, you have shown as much courage off the field as you have shown on the field @DuteeChand Bravo!”.
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