The Flying Sikh: Legendary Indian athlete Milkha Singh dies due to Post-Covid complications

According to details, the former sprinter was undergoing treatment at the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research.

He was diagnosed with coronavirus on May 19 and was isolating at his home in Chandigarh due to being asymptomatic.  However, on May 24, he was admitted to the ICU of Mohali's Fortis hospital after being diagnosed with Covid pneumonia. He was then moved to PGIMER in Chandigarh on June 03.

Five days before the death of Milkha Singh, his wife Nirmal also passed away due to post-Covid complications.

The news of his death was announced by his family in a statement.

"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," the statement read.

Milkha Singh is the only athlete to win gold in 400 metres race at the Asian Games as well the Commonwealth Games. He also secured gold medals in the 1958 and 1962 Asian Games. He was conferred with the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian honour, in recognition of his sporting achievements.