Chandigarh: ‘Flying Sikh’ Milkha Singh, the legendary runner, passed away on Friday night because of COVID-19. He was 91 and was battling with the dreaded virus after he was tested positive for Covid-19 on May 20, 2021. He was admitted in city’s Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) – a public medical university in Chandigarh, since June 3, where he breathed his last. On May 30, he was discharged from a private hospital in Mohali where he had got admitted on May 24 after contracting COVID-19. However he had to be admitted again, this time at PGIMER, after his oxygen level dipped.
Only five days ago, in June 14, Milkha’s wife Nirmal Milkha Singh, 85, too had died because of COVID-19. They are survived by one son, Golfer Jeev Milkha Singh, and three daughters, Dr Mona Singh, Aleeza Grover, and Sonia Sanwalka.
Milkha will be remembered for his exploits in track and field events. At the 1960 Rome Olympics, he had finished fourth in the 400m final in a photo-finish. Besides, he was the first Indian athlete to win gold in the then British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Cardiff in 1958. He he had won four Asian Games gold medals – 200m and 400m in 1958, and 400m and 4x400m relay in 1962.
Milkha was born in Gobindpura in present day Pakistan on November 20, 1929 . He is the only athlete to win Gold in the 400m at the Asian as well the Commonwealth Games.
– global bihari bureau
