Mass fall at Stade de France creates a "cone" scene
"We all went down like pins in a bowling alley": A scuffle on the final stretch of a 5000m heat at the Olympics sees several athletes tumble at the Stade de France. Post-race, there's drama, but ultimately, a happy ending.
Chaos in athletics: In the first 5000m heat, a scuffle on the final straight saw four runners fall at the Stade de France. In the tight pack, vying for a spot in Saturday's final (8pm), there were minor collisions, with Brit George Mills losing his balance - ultimately, he and three others ended up on the purple track. Post-race, Mills was seen heatedly talking to Hugo Hay, seemingly blaming the Frenchman for the fall. Earlier, Canadian Mohammed Ahmed had also taken a tumble.
"We all went down like pins in a bowling alley. It was crazy out there," Mills later said. "In the final lap, I was on the inside, where I wanted to be. I knew a gap would open up on the straight, and I was ready to push. Suddenly, it was 'Bam!' and I was down."
But the drama for Mills and co. turned into a happy ending, as a jury decision promoted the 25-year-old, along with Spaniard Thierry Ndikumwenayo, Dutchman Mike Foppen, and Dominic Lokinyomo Lobalu from the refugee team, into the final.
Norway's star Jakob Ingebrigtsen also faced drama in the second heat, with a runner falling on the final straight. Unfazed a day after his 1500m disappointment, where he finished fourth, Ingebrigtsen cruised into the final.
The Olympic Games 2024 in Paris is eagerly anticipated by athletes worldwide, following the thrilling turns of events at the Stade de France during the Olympic Games this year. Despite the chaotic incident during the 5000m heat, where George Mills and others fell due to a scuffle, several athletes, including Mills, were granted a second chance and advanced to the final.
