Flashback - Part 7
How long is 400m?

Remembering 'Flying Sikh' Milkha Singh 

From the archives of Milkha's little-known autobiography: Flying Sikh, Milkha Singh, which was published first in Punjabi in 1970 and later translated into Hindi in 1977 and in English in early 80s, we are bringing you the life of legendary athlete from witnessing tragedy, deprivation, survival against all odds and victory in the face of loss. The pre-partition and post-partition era.

Flashback - Part 7

How long is 400m?

When Milkha was asked if he would be able to run the 400m race in a Brigade Meet, his first reaction was: “How long is 400m?” He was then informed by Gurdev Singh, a former athlete who was appointed to train the top ten finishers, that 400m accounted for one round of the track. That’s easy, he thought, I could easily run 20 rounds in one stretch. “I was then told that I have to put in the energy of running 20 rounds in one round.”
Right after, Milkha changed and was on the ground barefoot. He ran his first-ever 400m in 63 seconds and finished fourth.
Sohan Singh of Sikh Regiment came first; Pritam Singh, who wore a jersey with ‘India’ written on the back was second while the runner who finished third was from his own regiment. In spite of finishing fourth, recalls the athlete, he got noticed because he ran barefoot.

Milkha recalls his first coach fondly, “Sardar Gurdev Singh used to run with us and at times even scold, abuse and bash us. He had a big role in shaping me as a professional athlete.”

Next: Arduous training