As the runners entered the final stage of the race, Mills and Hay collided, with the Great British runner being brought down.

As a result - three other runners fell in the melee.

After crossing the finish line around 30 seconds after the leader - Mills confronted Hay, with the pair appearing to exchange harsh words.

Narve Gilje Nordas of Norway won the heat.

It likely ends Mills's hopes of automatically qualifying for the final as he did not finish in the top eight.

Speaking to the BBC after the race, Mills said "I think it's pretty clear" what happened, adding: "I got stepped out on.

"I was about to kick into the strait and boom: The French lad took me down," he claimed.

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