Punjab Olympic Association condoles the sad demise of legendary athlete Milkha Singh

The Punjab Olympic Association (POA) in a special resolution condoled the sad demise of legendary athlete Milkha Singh, the most outstanding athlete of India, who died on June 18, 2021 at Chandigarh. POA will soon inaugurate a Hall Of Fame in the Punjab Olympic Bhawan at Mohali, where Triple Olympic Gold Medalist late Balbir Singh Senior, legendary athlete late Milkha Singh and Olympic champion shooter Abinav Bindra will be honoured with the installation of their statues.

Brahm Mohindra, President, RS Gill, Senior Vice-President, and Raja K S Sidhu, Secretary General, POA expressed deep sorrow at the passing away of the great son of India, Milkha Singh and his wife Nirmal Milkha Singh and shared the grief with Jeev Milkha Singh and his family.

Milkha Singh who later served as Additional Director, Youth Services, Punjab and Deputy Director (Sports), School Education, Punjab was the first Indian athlete to stand fourth in Olympic Games athletics final.

Running in the 400 mtr race in the Rome Olympics in1960 he placed 4th in the finals with a timing that broke the existing Olympic record. This record of his stood for over 40 years. He was the first Indian to win Gold Medals in athletics in both the Asian Games and the Commonwealth Games. He won two each Gold Medals in the Asian Games 1958 Tokyo and Asian Games 1962 Jakarta in 200 mtr, 400 and 4x 400mtr Relay. He also won Gold Medal in the Commonwealth Games 1958 Cardiff. He was decorated with the Padma Shri by the Government of India in 1959.

Milkha Singh inspired thousands of sportspersons all over the country to fulfill their dreams and never give up. He was an iconic champion who rose from humble beginnings, went through tragedy and became a legend in his life time through determination, hard work and never giving up character.