Legendary Indian athlete Milkha Singh died on Friday due to post-Covid complications in Chandigarh hospital. He was 91.
On May 19, Singh had tested positive for Covid-19. Being asymptomatic, he had isolated himself at his home. However, a few days later on May 24, he was rushed to the ICU of Mohali’s Fortis hospital due to Covid pneumonia. He was then shifted to the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research in Chandigarh on June 3.
In an official statement, his family announced, 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. 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, the statement said.
Singh’s death came five days after his wife Nirmal also died due to post-Covid complications.
Popularly known as the ‘Flying Sikh’, Singh made the national record for nearly 40 years in the race with a finishing time of 45.73 seconds. He was a four-time Asian Games gold medalist and a gold champion at the 1958 Commonwealth Games. He narrowly missed out on an Olympic medal, finishing fourth at the 400m final of the 1960 Rome Games. He also represented India in the 1956 and 1964 Olympics and was bestowed the Padma Shri in 1959.
Anguished by his passing away, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, 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.
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, he wrote.
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