UK Athletics and the governing body’s former head of sport have been charged with manslaughter over the death of the Paralympian Abdullah Hayayei, who was hit on the head by a metal pole during training in 2017.
United Arab Emirates athlete Hayayei was injured at Newham Leisure Centre in east London on July 11 in 2017 and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The 36-year-old had competed at the Rio Paralympics in 2016 and was training in preparation to compete in the F34 discus, javelin and shot put at the World Para Athletics Championships in London when part of a throwing cage fell on him.
On Wednesday (Jan 8) the police and Crown Prosecution Service said that Keith Davies, head of sport for the 2017 World Paralympic Athletics Championships, had been charged with gross negligence manslaughter and a health and safety offence.
UKA has also been charged with corporate manslaughter and a health and safety offence.
The Met Police launched an investigation following Hayayei’s death, with the Crown Prosecution Service saying that it has authorised charges following a review of evidence provided by the force.
UKA and Davies, a long-time athletics official who is now aged 77, are due to appear at Westminster magistrates’ court on January 31.
Malcolm McHaffie, head of the CPS special crime division, said: “The Crown Prosecution Service reminds everyone that criminal proceedings are active and both UK Athletics Ltd and Davies have the right to a fair trial. It is extremely important that there be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”
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