Milkha Singh

Milkha Singh (born in Lyallpur on 8 October 1935) is an Indian athlete, who represented India in the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome and the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. He is nicknamed The Flying Sikh. He is one of the greatest athletes India has ever produced.

Childhood

Milkha Singh lost his parents in the Partition of India and the chaos that ensued. He reached India from Pakistan in the cross border trains carrying refugees.

After such a horrific childhood, he forged a determined attitude to make something of his life. After being noted as a gifted athlete, this led to him running both 200m and 400m races with huge success, easily becoming India's most successful athlete of all time. He even for a brief period was 400m world record holder.

After winning Gold in Cardiff, Wales, UK in the 1958 Commonwealth games and accepting the gold with a full head of hair, due to his Sikh faith, he became known throughout the world of Athletics.

At about this time, he was invited to run in Pakistan but was unsure due to the events of his childhood. He was persuaded as people were afraid of the political ramifications if he refused on these grounds. He decided to run.

In the race Milkha Singh destroyed his opposition, easily winning. So impressed were the predominately Muslim crowd, that even the fully covered women unveiled their faces to see the great athlete pass them by, this is where he infamously became known as the FLYING SIKH.

Milkha Singh later retired and worked with the Government of India to promote sport and now resides in South Punjab, India.

Sports and athletics

• He won the gold medal at the 1958 Asian Games in the 200 m and 400 m.
• He won the gold medal at the 1962 Asian Games.
• He won the gold medal at the 1958 Commonwealth Games.

Retirement

After retirement, Milkha Singh holds the appointment of Director of Sports in Punjab. He is a recipient of the Padma Shri. His son Jeev Milkha Singh is a golfer

External links

• Milkha singh Article On sadaPunjab.com