UK Athletics Faces Manslaughter Charges in Paralympian's Death

Charges Laid in Paralympian Abdullah Hayayei's Death

Published on 8 January 2025, at 15:26 GMT, UK Athletics and former head of sport Keith Davies face charges of manslaughter in relation to the tragic death of Paralympian Abdullah Hayayei.

Details of the Incident

Hayayei, aged 36, lost his life when a metal cage collapsed on him during training at Newham Leisure Centre in London in July 2017. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has brought charges against UK Athletics Limited for "corporate manslaughter and a health and safety at work act offence." Additionally, Davies, aged 77, faces charges of "gross negligence manslaughter and a health and safety at work act offence."

Legal Proceedings

UK Athletics and Davies are scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on 31 January to address the charges. At the time of the incident, Hayayei was preparing for the World Para-athletics Championships in London. The athlete from the United Arab Emirates was gearing up to compete in the shot put, discus, and javelin F34 events.

Athletic Achievements

Hayayei, a father of five, had previously participated in the Rio 2016 Paralympics, where he secured sixth place in the javelin F34 and seventh in the F34 shot put. London 2017 was meant to mark his second appearance at a World Championships, following his performances in Doha in 2015, where he finished fifth in the discus F34 and eighth in the shot put F34.

Conclusion

This tragic incident has led to legal action against UK Athletics and Keith Davies, highlighting the importance of safety in sports training environments. The loss of Abdullah Hayayei serves as a reminder of the risks athletes face in pursuit of their athletic dreams.