At the age of 91, a former Indian sprinter died who overcame an infantile tragedy and became the most famous sprinter in the country.

The relatives of Milkha Singh reported that he late died in a hospital in the northern town of Chandigarh on Friday of Complications with Covid-19.

On 20 May, Singh tested coronavirus for the first time. A few days before 85 years old, his wife, Nirmal Kaur, a Volleyball Captain formerly perished from the virus.

Mr. Singh's family stated, "He battled hard, but God has his own ways."

Singh was the very first Indian athlete, popularly referred to as the Flying Sikh, to win a gold medal in the 400 m Commonwealth Games in 1958.

He finished fourth in the 400-m final in the 1960 Rome Games and he missed an Olympic medal barely.

At the Olympics in 1956, 1960 and 1964 Singh represented India.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid the athlete his homage and described him as a "colossal sportsman who caught the imagination of the nation and has a particular place within the hearts of numerous Indians."

Mr. Modi said in a tweet: "His inspiring personality endeared himself to millions."

Singh was born in a small Indian hamlet, presently located in Pakistan. During the partition of British India, his parents and siblings were massacred by a mob, leaving 1 million dead and bringing about the foundation of two new countries – India and Pakistan.

In the turmoil, Singh fled the woods and found a train to New Delhi, where he joined the army later.

The exploits of Singh on the track made him the hero of the nation. His story as the first athletic champion in the newly established country has been transmitted to generations.

Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, his life in 2013 became a blockbuster Bollywood film (Run Milkha Run).

The son — Jeev Milkha Singh, a golfer — and three daughters survive Singh.