Milkha Singh discharged from hospital in stable condition
(PTI desk)
Legendary Indian sprinter Milkha Singh was on Sunday discharged from a private hospital where he was getting treatment for COVID-19 infection even as he continues to be on oxygen support. While 91-year-old Milkha was discharged in stable condition at the family's request, his 82-year-old wife Nirmal Kaur had to be shifted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) on Saturday night due to oxygen requirement.
Milkha Singh is on oxygen and nutritional support
"On the request of the family, Mr. Milkha Singh was discharged from the hospital in a stable condition. He is on oxygen and nutritional support," the Fortis hospital, Mohali, said in its update. "Mrs. Singh had to be shifted to the ICU last night due to increased oxygen requirements. She continues to be stable," the update further said.
The sprinter's wife got admitted two days after him
The hospital had earlier said that they were being treated for COVID-19 pneumonia. While Milkha Singh was admitted to the hospital on Monday, his wife got admission to the same facility on Wednesday after testing positive for the highly contagious virus.
He reportedly contracted the virus from a house help
The couple's son and ace golfer Jeev Milkha Singh, flew down to Chandigarh from Dubai last Saturday while the golfer's elder sister, Mona Milkha Singh, who is a doctor in the United States, also reached Chandigarh a few days ago. Milkha is suspected to have contracted the infection from a house help.
The sprinter's career is celebrated even today
The legendary athlete is a four-time Asian Games gold medalist and 1958 Commonwealth Games champion but his greatest performance was the fourth-place finish in the 400m final at the 1960 Rome Olympics. His timing at the Italian capital remained a national record for 38 years. He also represented India in the 1956 and 1964 Olympics and was bestowed the Padma Shri in 1959.
