Bhubaneswar, Aug. 5: Move aside cricket, football and hockey - this time ahead of the Olympic Games in Rio, a new mania has gripped Odisha.

Six women from the state are set to take part at the Games this summer and people here are leaving no stone unturned to support their compatriots.

Sprinters Dutee Chand and Shrabani Nanda will take part in the 100m and 200m race, respectively. Four others - Deep Grace Ekka, Namita Toppo, Sunita Lakra and Lilima Minz - have also booked their berths at the Games as a part of the 16-member Indian women's hockey team. This is the first time that the women's team will take part in the biggest sport extravaganza in 36 years. <>While the first three are defenders, Minz plays in midfield.Faculty members and students also conveyed their best wishes on a canvas.

Support for Dutee and her compatriots have been pouring in from all quarters. Sand artist Sudarshan Patnaik has created a sculpture on the Olympic Games, while singer Krishna Beura has composed a song, especially for the state's Olympians, that has been shared on social media.

The Indian contingent has already reached Rio ahead of the opening ceremony in the early hours tomorrow. While sharing her experience at the Games Village, Dutee said: "My coach could not accompany me to the Games, so initially, I got a bit worried. Everything is new to me. But, when I met the other athletes from Odisha, I felt a sense of relief. We have been hanging out together, and being together gives us strength."