Milkha Singh, ‘The Flying Sikh’ Is No More

Legendary athlete Milkha Singh, popularly known as ‘The Flying Sikh’ passed away due to post-Covid complications on Friday. He was 91.  

Five days back on June 13, his wife Nirmal Kaur breathed her last due to Covid complications. She was a former captain of Indian women’s volleyball team, and  former Director of Sports for Women in the Punjab government.

Milkha tested Covid positive on May 19 and was admitted at Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh. After treatment he recovered and was discharged. However, his health deteriorated and was admitted in the ICU of the hospital on June 3 and was treated for Covid till June 13. He tested negative but due to post-Covid complications, he was shifted out of Covid Hospital to medical ICU.

Milkha Singh was a four-time Asian Games gold medalist and 1958 Commonwealth Games champion. He represented India in the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome and the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.

He was bestowed the Padma Shri in 1959.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the demise of the legend. “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,” he tweeted.