New Delhi: Five days after the death of his wife, legendary sprinter Milkha Singh breathed his last at 11.30 pm on Friday while undergoing treatment for COVID complications.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted his condolences and mentioned that he had spoken to the sportsperson a few days back.
In the passing away of Shri Milkha Singh Ji, we have lost a colossal sportsperson, who captured the nation’s imagination and had a special place in the hearts of countless Indians. His inspiring personality endeared himself to millions. Anguished by his passing away. pic.twitter.com/h99RNbXI28
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 18, 2021
Milkha contracted the infection on May 19 and had been undergoing treatment at Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh.
He was admitted to the non-Covid medical intensive care unit (ICU) on Wednesday after testing negative for the infection.
The 91-year-old’s condition became critical after he developed fever and his oxygen levels dropped on Thursday night, hospital sources said.
His wife, 85-year-old Nirmal, too died of COVID complications on Sunday. She was a former captain of Indian women’s volleyball team, and was a former Director of Sports for Women in the Punjab government.
