New Delhi: The legendary Indian sprinter, Milkha Singh - the Flying Sikh breathed his last on Jun 18, 2021, due to COVID complications. The entire nation mourned his demise and extended condolences online. The nonagenarian sprint icon died at 11:30 pm on Friday in Chandigarh. 


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Bollywood too paid tribute to the legend named Milkha Singh. From Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Akshay Kumar to Taapsee Pannu and Farhan Akhtar, who played the titular role in Milkha Singh's biopic - Bhaag Milkha Bhaag - thronged social media to express grief. 










The bereaved Singh family confirmed the news in a statement reading, "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."


Milkha Singh had tested positive for COVID-19 last month and was in isolation at his home in Chandigarh before he was admitted to the ICU of Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) hospital in Chandigarh.


The legendary athlete is a four-time Asian Games gold-medallist and 1958 Commonwealth Games champion. He is still the only Indian athlete to win Gold in the Asian and Commonwealth Championship. He was awarded the Padma Shri, India`s fourth-highest civilian honour, in recognition of his sporting achievements. Milkha Singh is survived by one son and three daughters. 


His son Jeev Milkha Singh is also a renowned Golfer. Singh`s wife and former Captain of the Indian Women National Volleyball team, Nirmal Milkha Singh succumbed to COVID-19 at the age of 85 on June 13. 


(With ANI inputs)