Harrogate olympic athlete George Mills has spoken out following an altercation with French athlete Hugo Hay.
The pair collided during yesterday’s 5,000m heat and George fell to the ground - but the British athlete, 25, was reinstated by officials.
He will now contest the final on Saturday (10th August) following a review by the video referee.
Mills and Hay had a fiery altercation after the race, for which he has apologised.
George said via Instagram:
“Many of you will have seen what happened in my race earlier today.
“I have put my heart and soul into reaching the Olympic Games, and after the race I reacted in the heat of the moment, thinking my chance of an Olympic final had been taken away from me through no fault of my own.
“I’m glad the officials agreed with me, but I’d still like to apologise for my reaction.
“I now just can’t wait to race in the final on Saturday night. Thanks for all of your support.”
He had claimed Hay was responsible for the incident and that he had been disadvantaged as a result - a view shared by olympic officials.
When asked to share what he had said to Hay after the race, George said he "probably wasn't allowed to say."
The final will take place at 6:50pm on Saturday in Paris.
Sam Atkin and Patrick Dever, the other GB athletes in 5000m contention, did not make it through after they finished 13th and 18th respectively.

Fairground rides return to Valley Gardens for half term
Six teenage boys arrested after 'violent incident' in Harrogate
Your Skipton and Your Ilkley to launch on DAB next week
Police appeal after hit-and-run on Knaresborough High Street
Harrogate Town announce signing of Chesterfield midfielder
Free Fuel Friday: Another winner scoops free tank of fuel
Smiley/sad face speed signs set to remain banned in North Yorkshire
Harrogate primary school takes climate education to national stage
Historic village pub enjoys successful reopening under new ownership
Masham primary school unveils newly refurbished library
No motorists turned away from Harrogate waste centres due to rule change
RHS Harlow Carr to host Summer Garden Weekend
First look inside Furlong and Furrow ahead of reopening
Harrogate man and colleagues tackle Three Peaks in memory of his mum
Harrogate care organisation raises £500 at Nidderdale Walk
Mayor urged to "come to the table" to discuss road repair funding
Monthly IT support clinic for elderly people launched in Harrogate
Harrogate College celebrates milestone as new campus takes shape
Children are taking over the Leeds station tannoy this weekend – here's why
Vernon Kay joins lineup for Harrogate's Symphonic Ibiza event


