CORPORATE PRESS RELEASES (INDIA) news desk, January 24,2012
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/flying-sikh-donates-olympics-shoes-to-kids-charity-auction/903288/
Chandigarh, Tue Jan 24 2012, 01:42 hrs
Years after he ended his running career, Flying Sikh Milkha Singh gave all his medals, trophies and personal souvenirs including one pair of Adidas shoes for the Sports Museum in Patiala. But for the legendary runner, one thing from his remarkable feat of breaking the world record in the 400 M race in the 1960 Rome Olympics, remained at his home ever since he missed the Olympics bronze medal by a fraction of a second to Malcom Spence of South Africa.
For more than five decades, Singh had treasured the second pair of shoes that he wore during the Rome Olympics and last week, when Singh gave the shoes to actor Rahul Bose for a charity auction, it was a cherished desire coming true.
“There were two pairs of Adidas shoes which I wore during the 1960 Rome Olympics including all the heats, semi-finals and finals. One pair I had given to the museum but one pair I had saved and had kept at my home. I do not remember which shoes I wore in the finals. But I broke the record with both. Last month Rahul Bose visited me and told me about his charity project. I had been down with Chikungunya and I thought that it is the best time to give,” shared Singh.
It was a heart breaking moment for Singh at Rome in 1960, as he lost the third spot to Spence by a fraction of a second after leading the race for more than 200 Metres. Singh had earlier defeated Spence in the 1958 Commonwealth games at Cardiff, England.
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