The Flying Sikh: Nation mourns death of legendary sprinter Milkha Singh

Milkha Singh is survived by three daughters and a golfer son, Jeev Milkha Singh, who is a Padma Shri and Arjuna awardee.

The nation mourned the death of Milkha Singh, 91, famously known as "The Flying Sikh", who passed away on late Friday night after battling Covid-19 for a month. The legendary sprinter had been admitted to PGIMER hospital in Chandigarh where he took his last breath. The Padma Shri awardee lost his wife, Nirmal Kaur (85), on Sunday who too succumbed to Covid-19 complications. She was a former national volleyball captain. Milkha is survived by three daughters and a golfer son, Jeev Milkha Singh, who is a Padma Shri and Arjuna awardee. The country paid tribute to Asian Games and Commonwealth Games gold-medallist. Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to his Twitter handle and paid condolences to three- time Olympian by describing him as a "colossal sportsperson." Indian Cricket team paid homage to Mr Singh by wearing a black armband during the first World Test Championship final at Southampton. Film industry and several politicians paid condolences over the demise of the legend. One of the best performances of "The Flying Sikh" was when he finished fourth in the 400m final of the Rome Olympics held in 1960. Milkha Singh won four Asian gold medals and he is the only athlete who won gold in 400 metres race at the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games.