Olympics 2024 star George Mills apparently shouted, “you f***ing clown” as he squared up to French rival Hugo Hay in the aftermath of the first 5,000 metre heat. Mills took a tumble on the home straight as a whole host of athletes collided.

The 5,000m race was run at a lethargic pace as athletes attempted to book their place in the semi-finals during a tactical battle.

But Mills hit into other athletes after he was given a slight push by Hay during the closing stages.

Mills, 25, marched over to his French rival after walking across the line and squared up to the 27-year-old before giving him a shove in the chest. And expert lipreader Jeremy Freeman told the Daily Mail that as Mills was approaching Hay and pointing his finger at the athlete, he exclaimed: “You f***ing clown”.

Hay appeared to protest his innocence, with Mills doubling down with his criticism as he added: “You f***ing did”. The Briton then twice exclaimed: “Yes you did.”

Hay replied by saying: “No it was not me”. And the Frenchman appeared to grow frustrated with the exchange as Mills stormed away as he added: “Ah come on”.

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After the race, Mills spoke to the BBC about the incident and explained: “I think it's pretty clear. I got stepped out on as I was about to kick on the home straight and boom, the French lad took me down.

“From my perspective that was the perfect qualifier for me. Going through the first 2,000 in six minutes. I was like, 'Alright - nobody in this field can run away from me at this pace'.

“So I was just sitting, waiting and biding my time, gonna kick off down the home straight and bang hit the deck. What can you do?”

Meanwhile, Hay stated in his post-race interview: “For me, that was nothing. Like I said to George, I will watch the images and if I'm the guy that did it, I will apologise. For me, I didn't do anything. I just hope that I can go in the final.”

The heat was ultimately won by Narve Gilje Nordas from Norway, who raced clear in the aftermath of the tumble. Ethiopia’s Hagos Gebrhiwet clinched second, with Belgium star John Heymans finishing in third.

Mills was eventually reinstated by the race referee and will be allowed to compete in the 5,000m semi-finals. Dominic Lokinyomo Lobalu, Mike Foppen and Thierry Ndikumwenayo were also handed places in the next round.