Milkha Singh, popularly known as “The Flying Sikh,” was one of India’s greatest athletes and a national sporting icon. He was born on 20 November 1929 in Govindpura (now in Pakistan). Having lost his family during the Partition of India, Milkha Singh rose from immense personal tragedy to achieve legendary success through sheer determination and discipline.
Milkha Singh joined the Indian Army, where his athletic talent was discovered and nurtured. With relentless training and an indomitable spirit, he became India’s fastest sprinter of his era. He dominated national athletics and brought international recognition to Indian track and field at a time when the country was still finding its footing on the global sports stage.
He represented India in the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, 1960 Rome Olympics, and 1964 Tokyo Olympics, as well as the 1958 and 1962 Asian Games. His most famous race was the 400 meters final at the 1960 Rome Olympics, where he narrowly missed a medal, finishing fourth—a performance still remembered as one of the greatest in Indian sporting history. He won four gold medals at the Asian Games and gold medals at the Commonwealth Games, achievements unmatched by an Indian sprinter for decades.
Milkha Singh earned the nickname “The Flying Sikh” after a stunning victory in Pakistan, bestowed by President Ayub Khan. Known for his humility and patriotism, he devoted his later years to promoting sports and inspiring youth. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 1959.
Milkha Singh passed away on 18 June 2021. He is remembered as a symbol of resilience, excellence, and national pride—an athlete whose legacy continues to inspire generations of Indians to dream big and run fearlessly. 🏃♂️