Wynne's assurance to Milkha on Indian athletes training in Toronto

Chandigarh

Talking to Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne on the occasion of a jogging programme at the Sukhna Lake in "City Beautiful" today morning, winner of 77 of the 80 races he ran the world over, Milkha Singh wanted a programme for the Indian athletes training in Toronto.

Queen's Park Bureau Chief Robert Benzie in his report quoted Milkha Singh saying "We didn't just run today. We made bonds of friendship between India and Canada. Through this run there will be more friendship between this city and the province (of Ontario)".

Wynne assured Milkha Singh she would talk with Tourism Culture and Sport Minister Michael Coteau about such an exchange program for young teenager athletes.

"I'm going to tell him we had this conversation," she said, "because I think that would be a very good idea."

Milkha Singh presented a copy of his autobiography before Kathleen Wynne. Milkha had last met Wynne in Toronto last year.

Wayne tweeted "Great to meet former Olympian, fellow runner & Indian sports legend Milkha Singh aka The Flying Sikh yesterday.

Robert Benzie wrote "The octogenarian Flying Sikh gave Ontario's most famous morning jogger a run for her money. Premier Kathleen Wynne, here leading a trade delegation, went for a sunrise sprint with Indian track and field legend Milkha Singh at scenic Sukhna Lake today.

"I'm in my 80's, but I still love to run," said Singh, whose exact age is unknown, as he greeted a visibly impressed Wynne amid a throng of some 50 local journalists covering the campaign-style event.

"It's beautiful to see you," the charismatic former 400-metre champion told her as he presented the premier with a bouquet of flowers.

Wynne, 62, herself a one-time Ontario high-school record holder in what was then known as the 440-yard dash, joked that she "can't run with a bouquet."

The pair then set out on an chaotic 1 km jog as the sun rose over Sukhna Lake.

Surrounded by Chandigarh police officers, some of whom were armed with assault rifles, Wynne and Singh jogged and strolled for the benefit of the dozens of jostling photographers, videographers, and reporters who had begun gathering before dawn.

It was the first time Wynne, whose enthusiasm for running has been promoted by the Liberals in Nike-style election advertising, was able to jog outside in India. The smoggy air and bustling traffic of New Delhi led her to use a treadmill in a hotel gym.

"You're so fast. You are remarkable," the premier told Singh, a 1958 Commonwealth Games gold medalist who finished fourth in the 400 metres at the 1960 Olympics in Rome, setting an Indian national record that stood for more than 40 years.

"This has been a wonderful experience for me to be able to run with the legend, Milkha Singh. He is an awesome role model for so many young people and for me," Robert wrote in Queen Park quoting Wynne.