India’s sprint legend Milkha Singh passed away on Friday at a Chandigarh hospital after a month-long battle with Covid-19.
Last Sunday, his wife and former national volleyball captain Nirmal Kaur had also succumbed to the coronavirus.
The Padma Shri awardee was 91 and is survived by his golfer-son Jeev Milkha Singh and three daughters.
“It is with extreme sadness that we would like to inform you that Milkha Singh ji passed away at 11.30 pm on the 18th of June 2021,” read a statement from the family. “He fought hard but God has his ways and it was perhaps true love and companionship that both our mother Nirmal ji and now Dad have passed away in a matter of 5 days,” it added.
“We are deeply indebted to the doctors at PGI (the hospital where Milkha was being treated) for their valiant efforts and the love and prayers we received from across the world and from yourselves,” the family stated.
Milkha’s condition became critical on Friday evening after he developed complications, including fever and dipping oxygen saturation levels. He had contracted the virus last month and tested negative on Wednesday. Milkha was admitted to the Chandigarh hospital on June 3 after his oxygen levels dipped at home following treatment at another hospital in Mohali for a week.
Milkha, born in Gobindpura — in present day Pakistan — was the first Indian track and field athlete to win gold at the Commonwealth Games in Cardiff in 1958 and remained the only one for more than 50 years before discus thrower Krishna Poonia won gold at the 2010 CWG in New Delhi.
Nicknamed the Flying Sikh, Milkha is a four-time Asian Games gold medallist — 200m and 400m in 1958, and 400m and 4x400m relay in 1962 — but his greatest performance remains the fourth-place finish in the 400m final of the 1960 Rome Olympics. He had a timing of 45.6 seconds, which was safe until Paramjeet Singh broke it in 1998.
“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,” tweeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Chief minister Mamata Banerjee also offered her condolences. “Saddened to hear about the demise of Shri Milkha Singh Ji. A legendary sportsman, he will be dearly remembered. My sincere condolences to his family, loved ones and fans across the world,” she tweeted.
Milkha’s life and exploits are part of folklore and were brought to life in the 2013 biopic Bhaag Milkha Bhaag with Farhan Akhtar in the role.
Track record
Milkha Singh’s finest and yet most painful moment in his career was when he finished fourth in the 400 metres final at the 1960 Rome Olympics, a pacing error costing him the bronze by a whisker. Here’s a compilation of the legend’s notable laurels
- 1958 Asian Games, 200m & 400m — Gold
- 1958 Commonwealth Games, 440 yards — Gold
- 1962 Asian Games, 400m — Gold
- 1962 Asian Games, 4x400m relay — Gold
