Milkha Singh slams Sarita Devi: Asiad incident 'brought bad name to country'

New Delhi: Legendary sprinter Milkha Singh on Friday criticised boxer Sarita Devi for refusing to accept the bronze medal during the Asian Games victory ceremony in 2014, saying that her act had brought bad name to the country.

Milkha, who missed a bronze medal by a whisker in the 400m race in 1960 Rome Olympics, said that athletes should uphold the country's reputation at all cost.

"Her (Sarita) act brought bad name to the country and she should not have done like that. She might have been hurt (by the decision of the judges) but she should not have refused to accept the medal at the victory podium," he told reporters at an athletics grassroot initiative organised by natural gas major Gas Authority of India Limited here.

"It was not proper on her part to protest in that way. There were coaches and officials to lodge the protest. The most important thing for an athlete is not to bring bad name to the country," the 86-year-old 'Flying Sikh' said.

Sarita had got the backing of the government and other sportspersons who had pleaded with International Boxing Association (AIBA) to take a lenient view of her protest, but Milkha disapproved of the Manipuri pugilist's act.

Sarita had refused to wear her bronze medal at the victory ceremony after her semifinal loss to South Korea's Ji Na Park at the Incheon Asian Games in October last, triggering a huge controversy. She was later handed a one-year ban by the AIBA.

The legendary runner also disapproved of Saina Nehwal's statement that she was a deserving candidate for the coveted civilian award, Padma Bhushan.

"We (athletes) should not hanker after government honours. Our job is to perform and get medals and laurels for the country. It is the job of the government to recognise your achievements and service to the country and confer you awards and honours," he said.

"I was awarded the Padma Shree in 1958 and later (in 2001) the government recommended me for Arjuna Award which I refused to accept. I was not considered for the Arjuna Award for so long and why would I accept it after getting the Padma Shree," he added.