George Mills in 5000m heat

George Mills of Team GB was involved in a dramatic collision with France’s Hugo Hay during the men's 5000m heats at the Paris 2024 Olympics, resulting in a heated confrontation post-race. Mills, who was in a strong position for qualification, was sent sprawling to the ground along with three other competitors after Hay appeared to impede him in the final stretch. Despite Hay qualifying for the final, Mills expressed his frustration, claiming he was unfairly taken out and hoping for an appeal, although he was skeptical due to the circumstances. Former athletes Paula Radcliffe and Steve Cram suggested that Mills could have avoided the incident by positioning himself better during the slow pace of the race. The incident has sparked debate over the responsibility of runners in chaotic finish scenarios, with varying opinions on who was at fault. Ultimately, this collision has overshadowed the competitive spirit of the event, leading to discussions about race management and athlete safety.