Olympics 2024 TV bosses forced to apologise after major blunder that infuriated athletes mid-race
OLYMPIC TV bosses have apologised for a major blunder during the men’s 5000m heats.
Athletes were left infuriated after a cameraman blocked the track as they completed their final lap.
The cameraman unknowingly got in the way, forcing several runners to go wide to avoid colliding with him.
Norway’s Jakob Ingebrigtsen was amongst them before looking back to give the camera operator a death stare.
Ingebrigtsen went on to win the heat despite the incident to book his place in Saturday’s final.
The Olympic Broadcasting Service (OBS) have now released an official apology.
A statement read: “OBS has apologised to World Athletics and Paris 2024 for the incident which happened this morning during the 5000m, Round 1, Heat 2, with the camera operator standing on the track and interrupting the athletes.
“The OBS team will be extra diligent and take additional measures to avoid any interference by the OBS team with competing athletes.”
The incident was part of a chaotic morning in the men’s 5000m heats.
Team GB’s George Mills had earlier been involved in a bust-up following heat one.
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Mills clashed with French athlete Hugo Hay after crossing the finish line having been tripped up during the race.
The Brit slipped from eighth to 18th as a result and confronted Hay for his role in the incident.
Fortunately for the 25-year-old, who is the son of former England defender Danny Mills, race officials later advanced him to the final.
Following an investigation, four athletes who fell during the heats were put through to the final at the Stade de France on Saturday night.