Flying Sikh Milkha Singh tests positive for Covid-19

Flying Sikh Milkha Singh, 91, tested positive for Covid-19 on Thursday

Flying Sikh Milkha Singh, 91, tested positive for Covid-19 on Thursday. He is in home isolation at his residence in Sector 8, Chandigarh.

Veteran Olympian Milkha Singh is in home isolation in Chandigarh after testing positive for Covid-19 on Thursday. (HT file photo)

Though his condition is stated to be stable, the veteran Olympian is learnt to be running 101 fever since Wednesday night.

His son, Jeev Milkha Singh, an Indian golfer, said, “He is fine and in good spirits. God willing, he will pull through. I’m out of the country but returning on Saturday.”

Jeev, who had gone to Dubai to compete in a tournament, also tweeted to thank all for their good wishes and that his father was receiving wonderful care.

“He is doing fine and is stable. But I’m worried as he is 91. The PGIMER has sent an attendant along with oxygen facilities to look after him. We are all praying for his speedy recovery,” Milkha’s wife Nirmal Kaur, 82, said, adding that he had not been vaccinated yet.

The legendary athlete’s daughter, Mona Milkha Singh, is an emergency room (ER) doctor at Metropolitan Hospital Center in New York City. “Mona is constantly on video call with me and Milkha jee. She is a great help and is guiding us. We are now waiting for (son) Jeev to join us,” said Nirmal, who had been India volleyball team captain.

Milkha is a former track and field sprinter, who was introduced to the sport while serving in the Indian Army. He was and still is the only athlete to win a gold medal in the 400m event at the Asian and Commonwealth Games.

1960 Rome Olympian, Milkha had recently called upon people to stay indoors during the lockdown to prevent the spread of Covid-19.