Commonwealth Games organisers were heavily criticised for the lack of medical attention given to Scotland’s Callum Hawkins after he collapsed when in the lead of the men’s marathon on Sunday.

Hawkins had built up a lead of more than two minutes with just a mile and a half remaining when he wobbled alarmingly and collapsed onto the road in brutally hot conditions.

He struggled back to his feet and managed to continue for another 100m, but then fell again. Despite several attempts to regain his footing for a second time, he was unable to stand and hit his head on a roadside barrier in the process.

As spectators took photos of him lying distressed on the road, it took several minutes for medical attention to arrive. When it finally did, the paramedic waited some time before helping him.</s>Scotland's Callum Hawkins collapsed twice while leading the Commonwealth Games 2018 marathon

Commonwealth Games Scotland chair Paul Bush has formally asked Gold Coast organisers why Callum Hawkins did not receive quicker treatment after collapsing twice in the marathon.

Hawkins lay on the road for several minutes before receiving attention and was then taken to hospital.

Team Scotland say he is talking, and likely to make a full recovery.

Bush said the athlete was left "exposed" and feels there should have been "more prompt attention to him".

Team Scotland added that Hawkins will remain in Gold Coast University Hospital overnight as a precaution and will be assessed again in the morning by their medical team.

Speaking from his hospital bed, Hawkins said: "Thanks for all your messages of support today and to the Gold Coast University Hospital staff. I am now feeling much better."

The Gold Coast organising committee, GOLDOC, have defended the location and number of medical staff available, and point to the fact that an athlete has to request medical attention as any intervention on their part results in disqualification.

"First and foremost we're delighted to say that he's up in bed talking to his father and is being well looked after, both by the hospital staff and the Team Scotland medical staff," Bush told BBC Scotland. "We're confident he'll make a full recovery.

"Words can't express what we felt; having seen him take that nearly two-minute lead, then he started to wobble down at the beach. It was incredibly distressing and very tragic for him and we're just pleased that he's now safe and well in hospital.

"We've now formally raised the matter with the Gold Coast organising committee. As you know the international rules are very clear in that an athlete has to declare themselves unfit to race (before they can receive any medical attention).

After receiving treatment, Hawkins was taken to hospital but is expected to make a full recovery

"But the second time he fell, he was a little bit exposed and we probably would have liked to see more prompt attention to him.

"So that's something we've raised with the organisers. It's not a time to be critical. It's a time to look, in the cold light of day, to see what lessons can be learned for future marathons around the world in these conditions, which were unbelievably tough."

Chief executive of the organising committee, Mark Peters, said the health of all athletes was GOLDOC's number one priority.

"I like many others was distressed to see a wonderful athlete like Callum collapse during the closing stages of today's marathon," Peters said.

"We are offering every assistance possible to Callum and Team Scotland.

"GOLDOC has put in place a wide range of measures to ensure athlete welfare and the response of medical staff this morning was within agreed response guidelines and timeframes.

"I was also concerned about the behaviour of a small number of bystanders who chose to take images. This is not in keeping with the spirit of GC2018."

According to GOLDOC, medical staff were posted at 500m intervals in the final kilometres of the course, and were equipped with radio communications.</s>CALLUM Hawkins said thank you from his hospital bed for all the support and medical attention he had received since dramatically collapsing when leading the Commonwealth Games marathon – as an almighty row began over whether the games organisers had jeopardised his health with their on- course procedures to battle the searing temperatures.

With a number of high-profile current and former athletes condemned games organisers for their handling of the affair, which saw Hawkins crumple to the ground with just over a mile left of a race which finished in unremitting 30 degree Queensland heat, Paul Bush, the chair of Commonwealth Games Scotland, formally raised concerns with Gold Coast organising committee GOLDOC about the matter. In particular, he was unhappy about the length of time it took for Hawkins to receive medical treatment. Having fallen to the ground once, he then bravely picked himself up and ran for a few seconds longer, before veering over to the right of the road, falling again and smashing his head off the kerb.

READ MORE: Callum Hawkins collapses while leading marathon and is taken to hospital

With bystanders criticised for standing by and taking pictures of the incident, it was two minutes before any paramedic help arrived, and a further two before any treatment was administered. While Hawkins may have been resistant to receive treatment knowing it would constitute an instant disqualification from the race – which was eventually won by Australia’s Michael Shelley – under IAAF rules, authorities have the power to force a retirement and administer treatment straightaway “if ordered to do so by the Medical Delegate, or a medical doctor who is a member of the official medical staff”. While yesterday was the hottest day for three weeks in this part of Australia, the scheduling of the race for the hottest part of the day was also a cause for concern.

“Thanks for all your messages of support today and to the Gold Coast University Hospital staff,” said Hawkins from hospital, where he remained overnight.. “I am now feeling much better.”

“Whilst Callum’s recovery is our clear priority, we are still reviewing the circumstances of today’s race with GOLDOC and the CGF to ensure the continued health and wellbeing of all athletes remains paramount,” a Team Scotland spokesman said. “The main concern is the amount of time it took. We’re fully aware of the IAAF rules, in terms of how the athlete has to declare themselves unfit to compete. But he was in trouble for a long time and fell twice. Our concern was when he fell the second time.”

READ MORE: Callum Hawkins collapses while leading marathon and is taken to hospital

Scottish marathon legend Liz McColgan led the calls saying he deserved more medical attention. “Soul destroying but the marathon is a beast and can destroy you. Heartbreaking to watch, hope Callum is okay, he should have had more support. He was very badly let down.”

“Someone f****** help him,” said Andrew Butchart, the Scottish 5,000m runner, currently rehabbing from a broken foot.

Marathon world record holder Paula Radcliffe tweeted that there were “big questions” for the local organising committee and medical staff. “That should never happen,” she said.

“You can’t have medical people on every kilometre of the race,” insisted Mark Peters, the CEO of GOLDOC. “They were professionally positioned like we position them in the Gold Coast marathon. The health of the athlete is absolutely prime. Sometimes medical people arrive and the athlete has to decide whether they want to go on or not. I understand that was part of the discussion (about Hawkins) at a point in time. Incredibly athletes in whatever state they are want to finish, and we’ve seen that in marathons.

READ MORE: Callum Hawkins collapses while leading marathon and is taken to hospital

“Certainly, there’s no reason why there would be deliberate (medical) delays, and our thoughts are with the athlete. He will be looked after then we can learn from what goes on.”

While his countryman lay prone on the tarmac, Scotland's Robbie Simpson claimed a bronze medal in the race, which saw Team Scotland end the games with 44 medal, just nine short of their tally from Glasgow 2014.</s>Commonwealth Games organisers have been heavily criticised after Scottish marathoner Callum Hawkins collapsed in scary circumstances just over two kilometres from the finish line.

Hawkins was leading the race by well over two minutes as he crossed the 40km mark on Sunday morning, but fell to the ground in sweltering conditions and couldn't continue.

The 25-year-old was then left on the ground for well over a minute and a half before any kind of medical assistance showed up.

Australian runner Michael Shelley passed Hawkins two minutes after he fell, and went on to win the race.

MORE: Bolt challenges athletes to pick up the slack

Hawkins received medical assistance on course, with Team Scotland issuing a release confirming he wouldn't face any serious health risks.

"We are very pleased to report that Callum is sitting up and speaking with his Dad and Team Scotland medical staff," the release said.

"He is undergoing further tests as a precaution and we all wish him a speedy recovery."

But, serious questions are being asked about the timing of the start of the race, and the amount of time it took for medics to arrive by Hawkins' side.

Channel Seven commentator Bruce McAvaney was the first to express concern.

"An athlete works all their life to win gold medals, but there's one thing more important than that though," McAvaney said.

"No. He should be assisted now. No. He needs to be ... this is distressing. Incredibly distressing, and he needs to be helped.

"Somebody now should come and help him."

But it was still 90-seconds before anyone arrived on the scene.

Former marathon world record holder, Paula Radcliffe, who was commentating on the BBC, raised "serious questions" over the incident, while former British track star Steve Cram was very critical of the organisers.

"He hit his head on the barrier. I’m sorry if you’re watching this at home, it’s really distressing," Cram said.

"He’s going to hurt himself and there’s nobody anywhere near. We should have some more medical attention.”

“This is a guy in real distress and someone needs to recognise it for his health at this point. Where on earth is the help? You cannot just wait at the finish line. They’ve got radios. And finally somebody arrives. I think it’s disgraceful.”

In addition to the slow resonse to Hawkins' collapse, pundits and experts questioned the 8:15am start time for the race. By 9:00, temperatures on the Gold Coast were soaring, and Hawkins wasn't the only athlete in distress.

Shelley had slowed considerably by the finish line, while Namibian runner, Namupala Reonard's body shut down less than an hour into the race.

Games organisers later issued a release saying the health and safety of all athletes was paramount.

"I like many others was distressed to see a wonderful athlete like Callum collapse during the closing stages of today’s Marathon,” Commonwealth Games organiser Mark Peters said.

“We are offering every assistance possible to Callum and Team Scotland.

“GOLDOC has put in place a wide range of measures to ensure athlete welfare and the response of medical staff this morning was within agreed response guidelines and timeframes.

“I was also concerned about the behaviour of a small number of bystanders who chose to take images. This is not in keeping with the spirit of GC2018."

In the women's race, Namibian Helalia Johannes claimed the win, with Aussies Lise Weightman and Jess Trengove taking out silver and bronze.</s>The organisers behind the Commonwealth Games in Australia’s Gold Coast have been criticised after a Scottish athlete was left struggling on the ground for several minutes in the 27 degree heat before medics arrived to help him after he collapsed during the men’s marathon on Sunday.

Callum Hawkins was 2000 metres from glory, a gold medal in the marathon to rank alongside some of Scotland’s greatest achievements at the Commonwealth Games.

After two hours in the blazing sun, Scotland’s Callum Hawkins had pushed himself to the limit, leaving the rest of the field in his wake and establishing a commanding 41-second lead.

But with the temperature on the Gold Coast a punishing 27C he suddenly seemed to be struggling.

The 25-year-old started to weave around the road, before falling over the kerb. Bravely, he continued for another two hundred metres before collapsing, hitting his head on a roadside barrier.

As he lay writhing on the road, a global television audience watched in mounting horror, as he was left in clear distress with no one coming to his help.

Instead of rushing to his aid, no medics appeared. And in the two minutes or so it took for professional help to arrive no one among the spectators offered the stricken athlete any help. Instead, some took photographs on their mobile phones.

BBC commentators Steve Cram and Paula Radcliffe voiced their anger at the slowness of the medical response, with Cram seemingly exasperated saying: “He’s going to hurt himself and there’s nobody anywhere near.

“We should have some more medical attention. This is a guy in real distress and someone needs to recognise it for his health at this point.

“Where on earth is the help? You cannot just wait at the finish line. They’ve got radios.

It was more than 10 minutes before an ambulance arrived at the scene to help the stricken athlete, with Scotland middle distance star Lynsey Sharp seen in attendance to check on the health of her team-mate.

Following criticism of the lack of medical response, GOLDOC confirmed medical staff were posted at 500 metre intervals in the final kilometres of the course with radio communications.

He said: “I like many others was distressed to see a wonderful athlete like Callum collapse during the closing stages of today’s Marathon,” he said.

“We are offering every assistance possible to Callum and Team Scotland.

GOLDOC has put in place a wide range of measures to ensure athlete welfare and the response of medical staff this morning was within agreed response guidelines and time frames.

“I was also concerned about the behaviour of a small number of bystanders who chose to take images. This is not in keeping with the spirit of GC2018.”

Viewers took to Twitter to voice their dismay at the way the athlete was treated with one user calling the scenes “distressing”, writing: “No medics for ages and the woman just taking pics of him in a heap on the floor, not even trying to help him just taking photos, so shocking!”

While another posted: “No medics for 15 mins after! People stood there taken [sic] photos! This needs an investigation!”

The Scotland team has since issued a positive update on the runner with a tweet that read: “We are very pleased to report that Callum is sitting up and speaking with his Dad and Team Scotland medical staff. He is undergoing further tests as a precaution and we all wish him a speedy recovery.”

There was a similarly encouraging message from Hawkins’ agency, Moyo Sports, in a tweet which read: “Callum Hawkins is sitting up and talking after having been taken to hospital. This is a fighter here and we are incredibly proud of the gutsy run he put in @GC2018. He will be back.”

Going into the final quarter of the race Hawkins, who finished fourth in the World Championships last year, was looking set to claim his first major medal.

He had a lead of 41 seconds before his fall, which denied him the chance of victory on the Gold Coast. Hawkins had moved away from the pack and opened up a gap from Uganda’s Munyo Solomon Mutai, who was initially behind him in second. He passed the halfway point in one hour 07:44 minutes and was living up to his pre-race favourite tag before the drama. Australia’s Michael Shelley overtook Hawkins while he was on the ground to claim back-to-back Commonwealth titles.</s>Scotland's Callum Hawkins has been discharged from hospital after collapsing just over a mile from the end of the Commonwealth Games men's marathon while leading.

Hawkins, 25, spent Sunday being treated at Gold Coast University Hospital after he had succumbed to hot conditions.

Scotland have asked Games organisers why he had to wait several minutes for treatment at the roadside.

Hawkins thanked medics and said: "It's great to be back with my team-mates."

He was aiming for his first major title, having come fourth in the World Championships last year, and had a lead of around two minutes before he fell.

Compatriot Robbie Simpson took bronze in a race won by Australia's Mike Shelley in two hours 16 minutes 46 seconds, with Uganda's Munyo Solomon Mutai second.
• 'Hawkins didn't know where he was or what he was doing'

Organisers have said they will investigate whether there was an excessive delay in getting help to Hawkins, who had managed to get up and run another couple of hundred metres before collapsing again, hitting his head on a roadside barrier.

"You can't have medical people on every kilometre of the race," Gold Coast organising committee chief executive Mark Peters said.

On Sunday Commonwealth Games Scotland chair Paul Bush said he hoped "lessons could be learned" about the incident.

"As you know the international rules are very clear in that an athlete has to declare themselves unfit to race [before they can receive any medical attention]," he said.

"But the second time he fell, he was a little bit exposed and we probably would have liked to see more prompt attention to him.

"So that's something we've raised with the organisers. It's not a time to be critical. It's a time to look, in the cold light of day, to see what lessons can be learned for future marathons around the world in these conditions, which were unbelievably tough."</s>Scotland's Callum Hawkins collapsed just over one mile from the end of the marathon at the Commonwealth Games when leading by almost two minutes.

In hot conditions on the Gold Coast, Hawkins looked set for gold but he began weaving across the road before falling over the kerb.

He continued for another couple of hundred metres before collapsing again, hitting his head on a roadside barrier.

Australia's Mike Shelley won the race but all thoughts were with Hawkins.

It took a couple of minutes for any medical staff to attend to the Scotsman, who was lying on the road in clear distress.

BBC Sport commentator Steve Cram said it was "a disgrace" that it took so long for any paramedics to attend to Hawkins.

Cram added: "I'm just concerned for his welfare. He hit his head on the barrier. I'm sorry if you're watching this at home, it's really distressing. He's going to hurt himself and there's nobody anywhere near.

"We should have some more medical attention. This is a guy in real distress and someone needs to recognise it for his health at this point.

"Where on earth is the help? You cannot just wait at the finish line. They've got radios. And finally somebody arrives. I think it's disgraceful."

Shelley ran past the stricken Hawkins just as help arrived and the Australian went on to claim the victory with Uganda's Munyo Solomon Mutai in second, with Robbie Simpson of Scotland claiming the bronze.

Hawkins was eventually helped into an ambulance and a statement from Team Scotland said he was "receiving medical treatment".

He was not the only athlete to suffer in the conditions - Tanzania's Stephano Huche Gwandu was put in a wheelchair after falling as he crossed the finish line.

His team-mate Saidi Juma Makula collapsed close to the finish line - one of seven of the 24 starters who did not complete the race - and was helped into an ambulance.</s>The organisers behind the Commonwealth Games in Australia’s Gold Coast have been criticised after a Scottish athlete was left struggling on the ground for several minutes in the 27 degree heat before medics arrived to help him after he collapsed during the men’s marathon on Sunday.

Going into the final quarter of the race Hawkins, who finished fourth in the World Championships last year, had taken an extensive lead and was on set to claim his first major medal.

Passing the halfway point in one hour 07:44 minutes, the Scot was living up to his pre-race favourite tag before the drama unfolded and tragedy struck, with a lead of 41 seconds Hawkins had moved away from the pack and opened up a gap from Uganda’s Munyo Solomon Mutai, who was initially behind him in second.

The brave athlete suddenly seemed to struggle in the blazing 27C heat of the Gold Coast, appearing delirious and beginning to weave around the road.

The 25-year-old then stumbled, trying in vain to bravely finish the race, before finally succumbing to the heat.

Falling in front of spectators on the bridge section of the race, the Scot was left writhing on the ground for several minutes clearly in need of medical attention.

BBC commentators Steve Cram and Paula Radcliffe then voiced their anger at the slowness of the medical response, with Cram seemingly exasperated saying: “Where on earth is the help? You cannot just wait at the finish line. They’ve got radios.”

It was more than 10 minutes before an ambulance arrived at the scene to help the stricken athlete, with Scotland middle distance star Lynsey Sharp seen in attendance to check on the health of her team-mate.

Following criticism of the lack of medical response, GOLDOC confirmed medical staff were posted at 500 metre intervals in the final kilometres of the course with radio communications.

He said: “I like many others was distressed to see a wonderful athlete like Callum collapse during the closing stages of today’s Marathon,” he said.

“We are offering every assistance possible to Callum and Team Scotland.

GOLDOC has put in place a wide range of measures to ensure athlete welfare and the response of medical staff this morning was within agreed response guidelines and time frames.

“I was also concerned about the behaviour of a small number of bystanders who chose to take images. This is not in keeping with the spirit of GC2018.”

Viewers took to Twitter to voice their dismay at the way the athlete was treated with one user calling the scenes “distressing”, writing: “No medics for ages and the woman just taking pics of him in a heap on the floor, not even trying to help him just taking photos, so shocking!”

While another posted: “No medics for 15mins after! People stood there taken [sic] photos! This needs an investigation!”

The Scotland team has since issued a positive update on the runner with a tweet that read: “We are very pleased to report that Callum is sitting up and speaking with his Dad and Team Scotland medical staff. He is undergoing further tests as a precaution and we all wish him a speedy recovery.”

There was a similarly encouraging message from Hawkins’ agency, Moyo Sports, in a tweet which read: “Callum Hawkins is sitting up and talking after having been taken to hospital. This is a fighter here and we are incredibly proud of the gutsy run he put in @GC2018. He will be back.”

Going into the final quarter of the race Hawkins, who finished fourth in the World Championships last year, was looking set to claim his first major medal.

He had a lead of 41 seconds before his fall, which denied him the chance of victory on the Gold Coast.

Hawkins had moved away from the pack and opened up a gap from Uganda’s Munyo Solomon Mutai, who was initially behind him in second.

He passed the halfway point in one hour 07:44 minutes and was living up to his pre-race favourite tag before the drama.

Australia’s Michael Shelley overtook Hawkins while he was on the ground to claim back-to-back Commonwealth titles.</s>Scotland's Callum Hawkins collapsed just over one mile from the end of the marathon at the Commonwealth Games when leading by almost two minutes.

In hot conditions on the Gold Coast, Hawkins looked set for gold but he began weaving across the road before falling over the kerb.

He continued for another couple of hundred metres before collapsing again, hitting his head on a roadside barrier.

Australia's Mike Shelley won the race but all thoughts were with Hawkins.

It took a couple of minutes for any medical staff to attend to Hawkins, who was lying on the road in clear distress.

BBC Sport commentator Steve Cram said it was "a disgrace" that it took so long for anyone to attend to Hawkins.

Cram added: "I'm just concerned for his welfare. He hit his head on the barrier. I'm sorry if you're watching this at home, it's really distressing. He's going to hurt himself and there's nobody anywhere near.

"We should have some more medical attention. This is a guy in real distress and someone needs to recognise it for his health at this point.

"Where on earth is the help? You cannot just wait at the finish line. They've got radios. And finally somebody arrives. I think it's disgraceful."</s>MELBOURNE, April 16 (Reuters) - Scottish athlete Callum Hawkins has been discharged from hospital a day after he collapsed during the Commonwealth Games marathon and was left on the road without medical attention.

Hawkins held a lead of almost two minutes after two hours running in temperatures of 28 degrees Celsius (82F) before weaving across the road and collapsing.

Former athletes and media pundits expressed outrage at the time it took to get medical attention to the Scot, with Steve Cram labelling it a "disgrace" when commentating for BBC.

Reports said it took almost two minutes for medical help to arrive.

Scotland's delegation to the Games, which closed on Sunday, said Hawkins was back with the team.

"Team Scotland is pleased to confirm Callum Hawkins has been discharged from Gold Coast University Hospital today and has been reunited with his team mates in the Commonwealth Games Village, ahead of the team's return to the UK," it said in a statement on Monday.

"We would like to thank all the supporters and well-wishers for their kind messages of support and the care and concern that has been shown, particularly here on the Gold Coast."

The delegation posted photos of Hawkins with Scotland team mates at the athletes village on Twitter.

Organisers have said they would investigate whether there was an excessive delay in getting help to Hawkins, who had managed to get up and run another 100 metres or so before collapsing again and lying on the road in clear distress.

"You can't have medical people on every kilometre of the race," Gold Coast organising committee CEO Mark Peters said on Sunday.
Scottish athlete Callum Hawkins collapses twice and strikes his head. Journalists, fellow athletes, and Commonwealth Games Scotland criticise a delay in him receiving medical assistance.