Kathmandu, June 19. After a month-long battle with COVID-19, India’s athletic legend Milkha Singh breathed his last at 11.30 pm on Friday.

Singh was receiving clinical care at PGIMER hospital in Chandigarh. The doctors informed national news agencies that Singh had already tested negative, and was kept under ICU care.

His condition was stable before Thursday evening. On Friday, his health showed critical complications including a severe drop in oxygen level. 

A spokesperson from Singh’s family announced that the cremation will take place at 5 pm today.

Family

91-year-old Singh was survived by a golfer son and three daughters.

Earlier on Sunday, his 85-year old wife Nirmal Kaur died due to the COVID infection. Nirmal was a former captain of indian national volleyball team.

The Flying Sikh

Milkha Singh, popularly known as “Flying Sikh” was a highly-celebrated Indian track-and-field athlete and the first Indian male to reach the finals of an Olympic game. 

He bagged four gold medals for India during the Asian Games of 1958 and 1962. He also became the champion of the Commonwealth Games of 1958. He represented India as a great performer in the Olympic games of 1956, 1960, and 1964.

Milkha’s 400 meters Indian national record stood for 38 years and the 400 meters Asian record for 26 years.

In 1959, India honored Milkha with Padma Shri, the fourth-highest national civilian award.

PM Narendra Modi pays tribute

On Saturday, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote on his Twitter handle, “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.”

“I had spoken to Shri Milkha Singh Ji just a few days ago. Little did I know that it would be our last conversation,” Modi wrote in another tweet.

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