'The Flying Sikh' Milkha Singh passes away after long battle against COVID

Chandigarh, June 19: Days after his wife and former volleyball captain Nirmal Kaur passed away, four-time Asian Games gold medallist Milkha Singh passed away due to post-Covid complications at the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) hospital here. He was 91.

 

 

He had tested negative and was shifted out of COVID-ICU but the legendary athlete lost a long battle after developing fever and a dip in oxygen saturation level from Thursday night in the medical ICU of the PGI hospital. His 85-year-old wife also succumbed to Covid-related complications at a private hospital in Mohali on Sunday.

 

 

President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted condolences at the passing away of Milkha Singh. "The passing of sporting icon Milkha Singh fills my heart with grief. The story of his struggles and strength of character will continue to inspire generations of Indians. My deepest condolences to his family members, and countless admirers," President tweeted.

 

 

Besides PM Modi said, "In the passing away of Shri Milkha Singh Ji, we have lost a colossal sportsperson, who captured the nation’s imagination and had a special place in the hearts of countless Indians. His inspiring personality endeared himself to millions. Anguished by his passing away. I had spoken to Shri Milkha Singh Ji just a few days ago. Little did I know that it would be our last conversation. Several budding athletes will derive strength from his life journey. My condolences to his family and many admirers all over the world."

 

 

The Padma Shri awardee had contracted Covid-19 on May 19, and was earlier admitted at the Covid ICU of the same hospital before returning negative on Wednesday. The 1958 Commonwealth Games gold medallist was admitted to the PGIMER on June 3 after his oxygen levels dipped at home following treatment at the Fortis hospital in Mohali for a week.

 

 

Born on October 17, 1935, in Govindpuri, which is now in Pakistan, he moved to Delhi in the aftermath of the Partition in 1947 when several members of his family were killed before his eyes. For him to have escaped that and risen to be a national icon in just over 13 years is ample evidence of the grit and determination that backed his natural talent as a sprinter.

 

He had a personal best of 20.7 seconds in 200m in Lahore on January 31, 1960. It set him up for a gallant show in the Rome Olympic Games where he clocked a National Record time of 45.6 seconds in the 400m final on September 6. He took part in his third Olympic Games in Tokyo in 1964 as a part of the 4x400m relay team.

 

 

Besides his 1960 Olympic Games heroics, Milkha Singh will be remembered his victory in the 1958 Commonwealth Games in Cardiff. He won gold in the 440-yard sprint in a Games Record time of 46.6 seconds. Earlier that year, in the Tokyo Asian Games, he won the 200-400m double. He picked up two gold medals in the 1962 Asian Games to end his career on a high. He was given the tag of Flying Sikh by Pakistan’s Gen. Ayub Khan in 1960 when the Indian ace beat Pakistan’s Abdul Khaliq.