Balbir Singh Senior, a legendary figure in hockey and a three-time Olympic gold medalist, passed away on May 25, 2020, following a period of critical illness. After spending a week in the hospital fighting for his life, the 95-year-old icon breathed his last. Over his career, he proudly represented not only the Indian national side but also Punjab State, Punjab University, and the Punjab Police. In 1958, he added to his trophy cabinet with a silver medal from the Tokyo Asian Games. His Olympic debut took place in London in 1948; in the final match against Argentina, Singh set the tone by netting the first two goals, leading India to a convincing 4-0 win.
Singh was a powerhouse for the national team, earning numerous accolades for his skill. At the 1952 Helsinki Olympics, he was the team's most prolific scorer, personally accounting for 9 of the team's 13 goals. In addition to his scoring prowess, he served as the official flag bearer for the opening ceremony and scored a hat-trick in the semi-finals against Britain. Later, as captain during the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, he showcased his dominance by scoring 5 goals in a single match against Afghanistan. In total, he netted 22 goals for India on the international stage. His impact was so global that the Dominican Republic even issued a stamp in his honor to commemorate the Melbourne victory. Furthermore, in 1982, the Patriot newspaper recognized his lifelong contribution to sports by naming him the Indian Sportsperson of the Century.
The 95-year-old legend passed away after a week of intensive care, succumbing to bronchial pneumonia and a blood clot in the brain. According to Abhijit Singh, Director of Fortis Hospital, Balbir Singh had been hospitalized since May 8, 2020, struggling with a high fever and the aforementioned cerebral blood clot. He passed away peacefully at 6:30 am, surrounded by his daughter, Sushbir, and his three sons, Kanwalbir, Karanbir, and Gurbir. Tributes have poured in across social media as the nation grieves the loss of a sporting giant. Singh's legacy is further cemented by the fact that he is one of only 16 Indian athletes ever recognized by the IOC throughout Olympic history.