Milkha Singh The Flying Sikh Passes Away At 91 Due To COVID Complications

Legendary Indian sprinter Milkha Singh died on Friday due to post-Covid complications. The Flying Sikh contracted covid-19 last month and was admitted to Mohali’s Fortis hospital due to “COVID pneumonia”. He was then moved to PGIMER in Chandigarh on June 3. Milkha Singh had tested negative earlier this week and also showed signs of recovery. But his condition deteriorated on Thursday evening.

“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,” his family announced in a statement.

PM Narendra Modi tweeted his condolence on the loss of the iconic sportsman.

Check out his tweet here:

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

The Padma Shri awardee lost his battle to the new coronavirus five days after his wife Nirmal Kaur’s demise due to the same. He is survived by his three daughters: Dr. Mona Singh, Aleeza Grover, Sonia Sanwalka, and son Jeev Milkha, who is an ace golfer.

Popularly referred to as the Flying Sikh, Milkha Singh was a four-time Asian Games gold medallist. He also won a gold at the 1958 Commonwealth Games in Cardiff. But his greatest performance was the fourth-place finish in 400m final at1960 Rome. He also represented India in the 1956 and 1964 Olympics and was bestowed the Padma Shri in 1959.

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