Milinković suffered a spinal injury at the age of 13, resutling in her being paralysed.

Having initially taken up wheelchair basketball, Milinković soon turned her attentions to athletics.

She claimed two medals at the 1972 Paralymic Games in Heidelberg when representing Yugolsavia, winning silver in the 60 metre sprint event and bronze in the javelin and shot put.

Milinković won javelin bronze again at Arnhem 1980, before winning gold four years later in Stoke Mandeville.

She also secured shot put bronze at the Games.

A second Paralympic title came in Seoul when Milinković claimed shot put gold in the South Korean capital in 1988, setting a world record in the process.

Her final Paralympic medal came in the javelin at Barcelona 1992, with her javelin bronze proving to be the first medal earned by a Croatian athlete after their independence.

Milinković competed at 10 Paralympic Games, with her last appearance coming at Rio 2016.

As well as her achievements at the Games, the Croatian earned 17 gold medals at world and European Championships during her career.

She was honoured with several domestic awards, including the Order of Danica Hrvatska in 2012.

"Milka Milinković was a true Paralympic heroine with an open heart and beautiful smile,“ the Croatian Paralympic Committee stated.

"Her sports achievements, medals, and legacy will be written in gold letters in the history of Croatian sport.

"Dear Milka, once again, thank you for everything that you gave to Croatia and Paralympic sport in general."