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The IAAF is saddened to learn of the death of Indian Olympian and athletics writer Ranjit Bhatia, who died in New Delhi on 9 February, aged 77.
Born in London on 27 May 1936, Bhatia was a scholar at Oxford University and in 1960 he represented India in the 5000m and marathon at the Rome Olympics.
He had best times of 4:08.7 for the mile, 9:02.8 for two miles, 13:56.0 for three miles, 14:28.0 for 5000m and 29:50.4 for six miles, all set in 1960. He was also Indian 1500m champion in 1963.
Bhatia, who was awarded the OBE for his services to athletics, wrote the Handbook of Indian Athletics in 1999 and was a long-serving member of the ATFS, covering seven Olympics for Indian newspapers.
His Olympic colleague Milkha Singh said of Ranjit's death: “I would call it the passing of a legend. He was a perfect gentleman and a good athlete.”
He is survived by his wife Rani and daughters Ritu and Tavishi.
IAAF
