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Legendary sprinter Milkha Singh, aged 92, passed away due to post-Covid complications in Chandig⛄arh on Friday.
As per the media reports, the ‘Flying Sikh’ was admitted to the ICU of Mohali’s Fortis hospital due to ‘COVID pneumonia’ on May 24. He was then shifted to the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research in Chandigarh on June 3.
Although Mr Singh had tested negative for COVID-19 on Wednesday, but his condition deteriorated on Friday evening as he developed serious complications, including dipping oxygen saturation levels. Mr Singh’s family confirmed his sad demise in a media statement that said: “It is with extreme sadness that we would like to inform you that Milkha Singh Ji passed away. 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.”
The four-time Asian Games champion was t🌠he first Indian track and field athlete to win gold in the Commonwealth Games in Cardiff in 1958. After his sad demise, many prominent names in the cricket fraternity paid their tributes to Mr Singh.
Former India captain Sachin Tendulkar wrote: “Rest in Peace, our very own ‘Flying Sikh’ Milkha Singh Ji. Your demise has left a deep void in every Indian’s heart today, but you shall keep inspiring several generations to come.”
Rest in Peace our very ow🐼n ‘Flying Sikh’ Milkha Singh ji.
Your demise has left a deep void in eve♒ry Indian’s heart today, but🎉 you shall keep inspiring several generations to come.
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt)
Ex-Indian cricketer Suresh Raina gave his condolences to Mr Singh’s friends and family. He wrote: “Extremely saddened to hear about the demise of legendary Milkha Singh Ji. May his soul rest in peace. My condolences to friends & family.”
Extremely saddened to hea✃r about the demise of legendary Milkha Singh Ji. May his soul rest in peace. My condolences to friends & family.
— Suresh Raina🇮🇳 (@ImRaina)
Speedster Jasprit Bumrah termed Mr Singh as a legend and inspiration while paying tribute ✃to the former 400m athlete.
“A hero, an inspiration, a legend. His legacy will live on for generations to come. Rest in Peace, Milkha Singh sir,” tweeted Bumrah.
A hero, aꦇn inspiration, a legend. His legacy will live on for generations to come. Rest in Peace, Milkha Singh sir.
— Jasprit Bumrah (@Jaspritbumrah93)
Former Indian batsman VVS Laxman asserted that Mr Singh’s legacy would inspire future generations.
“Sad to hear the passing away of the legend #MilkhaSingh Ji. His legacy will live on for generations to come—my heartfelt condolences to his family and well-wishers. Om Shanti,” Laxman wrote on Twitter.
Sad to hear the passing away of the legend ji. His legacy will live on for generations to come. My heartfelt co💫ndolences to his family and well-wishers. Om Shanti
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281)
Indian head coach Ravi Shastri wrote: “India’s greatest @Olympics runner. Shook the world in the 60s with his competitive spirit inspite of the most limited facilities. He took the word determination and will to compete to another level. Respect. God bless your soul. Condolences to @JeevMilkhaSingh & family.”
India’s greatest runner. Shook the world in 60s with his competitive spirit inspite of the most limited facilities. He took the word determination and will to com𓆉pete to another level. Respect. God bless your soul. Condolences to & family 🙏🏻 🇮🇳
— Ravi Shastri (@RaviShastriOfc)
Here is how other cricketers reacted:
Deeply saddened to hear the passing of Milkha Sin♓ghJi. His legacy will live on… a true legend and an icon. Condolences to his fa♒mily and friends. 🙏🏽
— Anil Kumble (@anilkumble1074)
Sad to hear the passing away of the legend ji
— Navdeep Saini (@navdeepsaini96)
//twitter𝔍.com/virendersehwag/status/1406069292878032896
Very sad,ꦍheartbreaking to hear flying sikh Sardar Milkha singh ji is no more..ജ 🙏🙏 waheguru 🙏🙏
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh)
Its saddened to hear about thank you for all your🥂 efforts that you have taken for County. You will be missed legend.
— Munaf Patel (@munafpa99881129)
Deeply saddened to hear thඣe loss of legendary sprinter Sh. milkha Singh ji. A true motivation and inspiration for everyone. Rest in Peace sir 🙏🏽
— Siddharthh Kaul (@iamsidkaul)
Saddened to hear about the sudden demise of ♈the legendary Milkha Singh ji. He was an 𝓀inspiration to many generations. My sincere condolences to his family and friends.
— Vinay Kumar R (@Vinay_Kumar_R)
💔 May your soul rest in peace.
— Gurkeerat Mann (@gurkeeratmann22)
Deeply saddened to hear about the demise of one of India's greatest athletes, Milkha Singh ji.
May his soul rest in peace. 🙏🏻— DK (@DineshKarthik)