A British runner has accused a Frenchman of causing a massive failure in the 5,000m event at the Olympics.

British track and field athlete George Mills believes Frenchman Hugues Eye is responsible for four athletes collapsing at the finish line in the 5,000m qualifying race for the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Mills, Dominic Lokinyomo Lobalu of the refugee team, Dutchman Mieke Foppen and Spaniard Thierry Ndikumwenayo were caught in a massive pile-up at the finish line on Wednesday. After the finish, footage emerged of Mills speaking rudely to the Frenchman.

“I think it’s clear: I’ve been eliminated from the game. I thought I was about to reach the finish line, and bam, the Frenchman knocked me down. After the end, he and I exchanged a few words. I probably won’t be allowed to repeat what was said at that time,” Mills was quoted as saying by SkySports.

– I don’t know what happened. I didn’t feel anything at all. I was surprised when George Mills approached me after the race. The last 400 meters were a real battle. I was stuck behind Narve Nordas and I thought he would gradually accelerate. We ran neck and neck, I pushed a little, but nothing happened. We are moving at very high speeds and so the slightest contact can cause a fall,” Ai said, quoted by L’Equipe.

Ai finished seventh and qualified for the Olympic final.

According to L’Equipe, after the race, the referees decided to qualify Mills, Lobala, Foppena and Ndikumwenayo for the final because they were at a significant disadvantage and finished the race. The judges also reviewed Aya’s case and decided not to disqualify him, taking into account all the circumstances of the incident.

The final will take place on August 10. The Paris Olympics will end on August 11.

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