Milkha Singh, India's first independent sports star, dominated Indian track and field for over a decade with his speed and spirit, setting numerous records and winning numerous medals.
Milkha Singh, who represented India at the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne, the 1960 Olympics in Rome, and the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo, was the greatest Olympian from India for decades.
Milkha Singh, who was born on November 20, 1929, into a Sikh family in Govindpura, Pakistan, was only introduced to the sport after fleeing to India after the partition and joining the Indian Army.
He honed his running abilities while in the army. He was handpicked for further training after finishing sixth in a cross-country competition with about 400 other soldiers. That laid the groundwork for a long and successful career.