Shocking moment Olympics cameraman wanders into pack of runners and risks causing huge pile-up during race

Another shocking moment has overwhelmed the men's 5,000 metre heats in an action packed morning at the 2024 Paris Olympics, with a huge pile-up almost caused by a wandering cameraman.

After a huge pile up in the first heat of the 5,000m races, which lead to two runners squaring up to each other at the finish line, there was further issue in the second heat ahead of Saturday evening's final.

With 3,400 metres under their belt and four laps to go in the second heat, the Olympic competitors kept their pace as they closed in on the end of the race.

But after starting the fourth to last lap, the track ahead of them was littered with people seemingly unaware of the race going on and fast approaching.

Among them was a cameraman who can be seen recording the javelin, with one throw happening at the exact same time the runners went by the end of the field.

Completely unaware of the fast approaching group, the cameraman keeps on filming.

With the javelin thrown, he then ambles towards the first lane in a moment of terrible timing, with the runners passing by at the exact same time.

The incident caused those heading directly for him to divert around him in the second and third lanes, with some athletes looking back at him in what we can only assume is complete bemusement.

The crowd reacted with gasps of horror and commentators on the BBC shrieked as a huge pile up was almost caused.

"I hope the cameraman stays out of the way. They weren't expecting that, were they," one of the BBC commentators dryly said.

Their co-commentator added: "I think [race winner Jakob] Ingebrigtsen signals to say 'are you crazy?'."

It's a moment that has to be seen to truly be believed:

⚠️ Watch out! Cameraman about! 🎥#Olympics #Paris2024 #BBCOlympics pic.twitter.com/oXvA2GWB3S

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) August 7, 2024

Responding to the video, one X user wrote: "I’m in the stadium. That cameraman was completely oblivious to his surroundings filming the javelin throwers. Someone at OBS [Olympic Broadcasting Services] needs a word."

Another posted: "Saw it in the stadium. Amateurish. Really poor by the officials for not watching the track."

And a third added: "Athletes train their whole lives for this and making it or not could be determined by a cameraman and his director not paying attention."

In the first heat for the men's 5,000 metres, an extra four runners were placed in the final after a huge crash between athletes on the final straight towards the finish line.

Team GB's George Mills was placed in the final on appeal alongside Dominic Lobalu; Mike Foppen; and Thierry Ndikumwenayo.