French runner who clashed with GB’s George Mills accused of racist and homophobic slurs

IOC and World Athletics are yet to comment on what action, if any, they will take against 27-year-old Hugo Hay

A French runner accused of tripping Britain’s George Mills in the 5,000m heats allegedly posted racist, anti-Semitic and homophobic messages online.
Hugo Hay, in posts attributed to him on X, appears to have used language such as “dirty Arab” and “negro” as well as apparently suggesting all Muslims were terrorists.
Another post, which it is alleged is anti-Semitic, refers to the “community that controls the world”.
It is understood the posts are at least a decade old, although others from more recent weeks appear to use derogatory French terms for homosexuals.
The IOC and World Athletics are yet to comment on what action, if any, they will take against the 27-year-old.
On Wednesday, Hay was involved in a furious confrontation with Mills, 25, the son of former England footballer Danny, during the heats of the men’s 5,000 metres.
Hay remained on his feet after multiple runners, including Mills, tumbled down the home straight on the final lap and the Frenchman was able to qualify for the final on Saturday.
But after the men had crossed the finish line, Mills and Hay were seen arguing and making physical contact with Mills gesturing angrily at Hay.
It’s a chaotic end to one of the men’s 5000m heats! 😬🇬🇧 GB’s George Mills is involved in a collision in the final straight 💥#Olympics #Paris2024 #BBCOlympics pic.twitter.com/RkoTj48Myj
Mills claimed Hay was responsible for the incident and officials agreed the Briton had been disadvantaged, advancing him to the final following a review by the video referee.
Mills is the son of the former Leeds and England full-back Danny. The 25-year-old runner told the BBC: “I think it’s pretty clear. I got stepped out on as I was about to kick in the home straight and boom, the French lad took me down.”
Asked what he said when he confronted Hay: “I’m probably not allowed to say.”
🗣 ‘I got stepped out on…then boom, the French lad took me down!’🇬🇧 George Mills isn’t pleased about the chaotic end to his 5000m heat 😤#Olympics #Paris2024 #BBCOlympics pic.twitter.com/5zfNZ52YAX
Mills added before learning of his reinstatement: “That was the perfect qualifier for me, going through the first 2k in six minutes. I was like: ‘Nobody in this field can run away from me at this pace,’ so I was just sitting, waiting, biding my time, going to kick off the home straight then bang, hit the deck. What can you do?”
Hay has also made other controversial remark this week and in an interview with Humanité, the French newspaper, he said he “understands” athletes who refuse to compete against Israelis at the Games.
He added that he was “angry” with President Macron for saying that Benjamin Netanyahu would be welcome in Paris during the Games.
Mike Foppen of the Netherlands, Spain’s Thierry Ndikumwenayo and Dominic Lobalu, of the Refugee Olympic Team, were also given a pass to the final.
Hay is due to face Mills in the 5,000m final on Saturday. Telegraph Sport has contracted the France Olympic Association for comment.