Australian middle-distance star Olli Hoare has played down reports he witnessed a "knife incident" in Glasgow just days before opening his Commonwealth Games title defence.
After winning 1500m gold in Birmingham four years ago, Hoare was clipped by a rival in his one mile heat on day three of the athletics program at Scotstoun Stadium and hit the deck, immediately launching a protest after the race.
The track referee sided with Hoare soon after, ensuring he will join fellow Australians Adam Spencer and Cam Myers in the final alongside Scotland's world record holder Josh Kerr.
Australia's fastest man Lachie Kennedy backed up the morning after his 100m silver medal-winning performance by running 20.50 in his 200m heat to advance to a semi-final.
Mia Gross and Monique Hanlon both won their women's 200m heats.
Hoare's fall continued a rocky few days for the 29-year-old, who was out running with teammate Ky Robinson when they witnessed police breaking up a dispute.
Initial reports suggested the pair witnessed the fatal stabbing of a 44-year-old man in Glasgow's east end on Friday, but Hoare denied that was the case.
"I didn't see a murder. The murder that was reported was six miles away at a different time," he said.
Hoare said some of the "colourful characters" involved in the incident he saw "looked like they were carrying something".
"We came across a police dispute and there's been people walking around saying things and walking like this (possibly with a concealed weapon by their side)," Hoare said.
"I was never threatened. There was no one coming up to us and saying anything."
Hoare did confirm words were shouted in the direction of the Australian pair, who were in team colours at the time.
"I don't think it's an appropriate thing to repeat, personally, so I won't repeat it," Hoare said.
"But, I mean, it happens all the time. It doesn't just happen here, it happens everywhere."
Hoare noted he didn't wear the Australian team uniform around Glasgow the following day.
"I didn't want to bring attention to myself," Hoare said.
"Particularly for the women running around, they're in a much more difficult position than I am. Usually we don't run with the kit."
Kerr is one of the faces of the Glasgow Games after shattering the previous 27-year-old mile record by nearly half a second at the London Diamond League this month.
He won Wednesday's slower first heat at Scotstoun Stadium in three minutes 58.57 seconds, with Spencer (3:59.72) sixth.
Myers (3:53.85) qualified fastest from the second heat with Scotland's Jake Wightman (3:54.05) second.
Hoare appeared to be tripped from behind by South Africa's Tshepo Tshite.
"(Kerr) moved to the front, I got clear and didn't have anyone in front of me and thought I was in a good position - and then hit the deck," Hoare said.
"It was a bit of a shock and I got up and at that point the boys were already winding up the gears and I was completely out of it.
"I got back up and I kept competing because I'm representing my country and I'm the defending champ, so I'm not going to just walk off."
