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.