The men's 5000m heats at the Paris Olympics were marred by chaos when Great Britain's George Mills collided with France's Hugo Hay, leading to Mills and three other runners falling during the final stretch. The incident sparked a heated exchange between Mills and Hay post-race, with Mills expressing his frustration over the collision, which he felt cost him a chance at a better finish. Despite the fall, all involved athletes were reinstated for the final after a review, including Mills and Hay, who maintained their positions in the race. Hay claimed he was unaware of the contact and expressed understanding of Mills' anger, stating he would apologize if the footage proved he was at fault. The heats also featured disruptions, including a cameraman accidentally entering the track, leading to further turmoil among the competitors. Ultimately, Jakob Ingebrigtsen of Norway qualified first, showcasing his dominance despite the surrounding drama.