The men’s 5,000 metres descended into chaos today when Team GB star George Mills stumbled on the final lap of the chaotic heat, before angrily clashing with his French Olympic rival.
The Olympian, son of former Premier League defender Danny Mills, was one of four riders to fall during a dramatic final sprint.
Mills was sitting in the middle of the pack when he fell to the ground after colliding with one of his rivals.
After finally crossing the finish line in 18th place, he headed straight for Frenchman Hugo Hay and began pushing him furiously.
Mills still managed to advance to the next round according to the race referee after the collision, which the star said was the only thing that prevented him from qualifying.
Replays of the race appear to show Hay pushing Mills into the path of the other runners, causing him to dramatically fly to the ground.
Asked what happened after the race, a furious Mills told the BBC: “I think it’s pretty clear. I got stepped on as I was about to kick down the stretch and boom, the French lad knocked me down.”
George Mills, son of former Premier League midfielder Danny Mills, was one of four riders to fall during a dramatic final sprint.
Britain’s George Mills and France’s Hugo Hay after the men’s 5000m heats
George Mills with his father, former Premier League star Danny Mills
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Mills appeared furious after the race in which he was seen falling to the ground.
People have taken to social media to sympathise with Mills after he crashed during the race.
Asked what he said to Hay after the race, he replied: “I probably wouldn’t be allowed to say it.”
Mills said he expected an appeal to be lodged, adding: “From my perspective, that was the perfect qualification for me. Getting through the first 2000 metres in six minutes. I thought ‘right, nobody in this field can get away from me at this pace’.”
“I just sat there waiting and waiting for the right moment to kick off the final stretch and fall to the ground. What can you do?”
Giving his verdict, Hays said he was the one who was pushed, stating: “I was actually pushed. I didn’t feel anything. The Englishman came up to me and was very angry.”
‘Everyone was pushing each other and I didn’t think I was pushing him with my shoulder.’
The race was riddled with controversy as a cameraman was also seen getting in the way of the runners on the track.
Former Olympic silver medallist Steve Cram, commentating on the race for the BBC, said Mills had put himself in a “bad position”.
Team GB’s Mills reacts after competing in the first round of the men’s 5000m
Hugo Hay of Team France and George Mills of Team Great Britain react after competing in the men’s 5000m.
Hugo Hay of Team France and George Mills of Team Great Britain chat after competing in the men’s 5000m.
Hugo Hay of Team France and George Mills of Team Great Britain chat after the race.
Hay claimed that it was in fact he who was pushed, after Mills angrily confronted him.
“George was in a bad position from a long way out, he should have retired a lot earlier,” Cram said.
‘George, from what I can see there, made a great effort down the stretch and it will be really interesting to see what (race officials) decide.
‘There are a lot of experienced guys there and yes, they all think they can kick, but when you get to that situation (very slow pace) the chances of people falling increase incredibly.’
Refugee Olympic team athlete Dominic Lobalu and Dutchman Mike Foppen also fell to the ground because they had no time to react to the collision ahead of them.
Foppen appeared to land on the back of his head as he hit the ground and was seen holding on to it after crossing the line.
Fortunately, the four athletes who fell to the ground in the collision were given a reprieve after the race as officials awarded them a spot in the final.
