Iconic Indian athlete Milkha Singh is no more. The famed athlete, who represented India in numerous international competitions, including three Olympic Games, was 91 years old.
MILKHA SINGH PASSED AWAY DUE TO POST-COVID COMPLICATIONS
Singh passed away due to certain post-Covid complications at Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh. This Sunday, his wife Nirmal Kaur also died at the age of 85, making it a devastating period for his family, including his son, famed Golfer Jeev Milkha Singh.
The Milkha family lost its backbone today. Mom taught us to be humble and be good human beings above everything else.
We can never thank her enough for everything she did for us and the unconditional love she showered…every day.
Thank you all for the prayers and kind messages pic.twitter.com/NCvurRLdIP
— Jeev Milkha Singh (@JeevMilkhaSingh) June 13, 2021
“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,” tweeted President Ramnath Kovind.
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 of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) June 18, 2021
“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,” tweeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
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. pic.twitter.com/h99RNbXI28
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 18, 2021
“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,” Modi added.
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.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 18, 2021
HE WENT FROM BEING AN ORPHAN TO A NATIONAL HERO
From less than humble beginnings that saw him orphaned and displaced during the Partition of India, Milkha Singh went on to become a sporting icon in his country. He represented India in three Olympic Games: the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome and the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. He was later awarded with the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian honour, in recognition of his sporting achievements.
The race for which he was best remembered is his fourth-place finish in the 400 metres final at the 1960 Olympic Games, which he had entered as one of the favourites. Various records were broken in the race, which required a photo-finish and saw American Otis Davis being declared the winner by one-hundredth of a second over German Carl Kaufmann. His fourth-place time of 45.73 seconds was the Indian national record for almost 40 years.
