Video: Santhi Soundarajan is still looking for justice and she needs your support

Shanti Soundarajan

The year 2014 saw one of the most sensational stories emerge in the sporting world. Sprinter Dutee Chand was accused of hydroangenism or in simpler terms, of having excessive levels of androgens in her body. As a result of that, she was dropped from the Indian squad that went to the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow that year.

The following year, on behalf of her, the Government of India appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The CAS decided to suspend that regulation for two years, thereby allowing Dutee to compete in events.

Not all, however, are as lucky as Dutee to have received government intervention that helped save their career. Santhi Soundarajan is one of those unfortunate few.

The year was 2006. The event the Asian Games in Doha. Santhi was competing in the Women’s 800m event and after a terrific run in the final, finished second to win the silver medal.

The joy of winning the medal, however, was short-lived. A short while later, she underwent sex tests and it was found from the tests that she "does not possess the sexual characteristics of a woman,” and, as a result, was stripped of her medal.

A few days later, she got a call from the then IOA secretary Lalit Bhanot, who told her that she could no longer compete in sports.

Now, almost a decade after the incident, she is coaching young turks and is seeking you support to ensure no one in the future goes through the same hardships that she has.

Santhi Soundarajan's achievements:

2005 Asian Indoor Games Gold Women’s 800m

2005 Asian Indoor Games Gold Women’s 4x400m

2005 Asian Athletics Championships Silver Women’s 800m

2006 South Asian Games Women’s 1500m Gold

2006 South Asian Games Women’s 4x400m Gold

2006 South Asian Games Women’s 800m Silver

Here’s a video showing Santhi asking for your support:

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Edited by Staff Editor