The men’s 5,000 metres descended into chaos today when British team star George Mills stumbled on the final lap in the chaotic heat – leaving him to storm out in a furious showdown with his French Olympic rival.
The Olympian, the son of former Premier League defender Danny Mills, was one of four runners felled during a dramatic sprint.
Mills was in the middle of the peloton when he fell to the ground after a collision with one of his rivals.
After eventually crossing the finish line in 18th place, he set course for Frenchman Hugo Hay and began pushing him furiously.
Mills was sent through to the next round by the race referee after the collision. According to the driver, this was the only thing that stopped him from qualifying.
Replays of the race show Hay pushing Mills into the path of the other racers, causing him to fall to the ground in a dramatic movement.
When asked what happened after the race, a furious Mills told the BBC: “I think it’s pretty clear. I got run over when I was going to pedal on the straight and boom, the French guy overtook me.”
George Mills – the son of former Premier League midfielder Danny Mills – was one of four riders felled in a dramatic sprint finish
Britain’s George Mills and France’s Hugo Hay after the heats of the men’s 5000m
George Mills with his father, former Premier League star Danny Mills
Your browser does not support iframes.
Mills looked furious after the run that saw him fall to the ground
Mills is seen falling to the ground near the end of the men’s 5,000 meter race
People have taken to social media to express their condolences to Mills after he crashed during the race
When asked what he said to Hay after the race, he replied: ‘I probably shouldn’t say that.’
Mills said he hopes they appeal, adding: “From my perspective, that was the perfect qualification for me. To get through the first 2,000 in six minutes. I thought, ‘OK – no one in this field can get past me at this pace.’
“So I was just waiting and biding my time, I was going to kick the home straight and hit the ground with a bang. What can you do?”
Hays gave his verdict and said that he was the one who was pushed. He claimed: ‘They pushed me, in fact. I didn’t feel anything. The Englishman came over to me and was very angry.
‘Everyone was pushing each other and I didn’t feel like I had put my shoulder to him.’
The race was marred by controversy as a cameraman was also seen getting in the way of runners on the track.
Former Olympic silver medallist Steve Cram said in a commentary on the race for the BBC that Mills had put himself in a “bad position”.
Team Great Britain’s Mills reacts after competing in the Men’s 5000m Round 1
Team France’s Hugo Hay and Team Great Britain’s George Mills react after competing in the men’s 5000m
Team France’s Hugo Hay and Team Great Britain’s George Mills have a chat after competing in the men’s 5000m
Team France’s Hugo Hay and Team Great Britain’s George Mills chat after the run
Hay claimed he was the one who was pushed, after being angrily confronted by Mills
“George was in a tough spot from a distance, he should have left a long time ago,” Cram said.
‘George, from what I can see, made a big push there on the straight and it will be very interesting to see what they (race management) decide.
‘There are a lot of experienced guys there and yes, everyone thinks they can kick, but when you get into that situation [very slow pace] The chances of people perishing have increased enormously.’
Also, refugee athlete Dominic Lobalu and Dutchman Mike Foppen went to the ground as they had no time to react to the collision in front of them.
Foppen appeared to land on the back of his head when he hit the ground and was seen holding his head after crossing the finish line.
Fortunately, the four athletes who fell to the ground in the collision were given a stay of execution after the race, as officials awarded them a spot in the final.