Abdullah Hayayei was preparing to represent the United Arab Emirates in the shot, discus, and javelin at the 2017 World Para Athletics Championships when a metal throwing cage fell on him
UK Athletics will stand trial at the Old Bailey for corporate manslaughter over the death of Paralympic athlete Abdullah Hayayei.
The United Arab Emirates athlete died after a metal throwing cage fell on him at Newham Leisure Centre in east London on July 11, 2017.
Hayayei, who had competed at the Rio Paralympics in 2016, was training in preparation to compete in the F34 discus, javelin, and shot put at the World Para Athletics Championships in London.
UK Athletics and Keith Davies, head of sport for the 2017 World Paralympic Athletics Championships, appeared at Westminster magistrates’ court on Friday (January 31) to face criminal charges.
UK Athletics
Davies, who is now 77, has been charged with gross negligence manslaughter and both defendants also face charges in relation to breaching health and safety rules.
Keith Davies (Mark Shearman)
The Met Police launched an investigation following Hayayei’s death, with the Crown Prosecution Service saying that it has authorized charges following a review of evidence provided by the force.
According to the charges, Davies is said to have “unlawfully killed” Hayayei, as well as an alleged failure to “take reasonable care for the health and safety of yourself and of other persons who may have been affected by your acts and omissions at work”.
UK Athletics, between October 2012 and July 2017, was accused of “failing to construct a discus cage with its base for international athletics and para-athletics”.
The governing body also faces claims of health and safety breaches by senior management.
Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring sent the case to the Old Bailey, with a preliminary hearing set for February 28.
Davies is on unconditional bail until the next court hearing.
No pleas were entered by the defendants at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday.
UK Athletics
Although the national championships are still the same, the organization started rebranding them as the UK Athletics Championships in 2023.
History
The organizational structure of UK Athletics is that of a non-profit corporation limited by guarantee. England Athletics, Scottish Athletics, Welsh Athletics, and Athletics Northern Ireland are its four member organizations, one from each of the United Kingdom’s component nations.
David Moorcroft, a former long-distance runner who served as the British Athletics Federation’s CEO, kept his position in the newly established UKA. After Great Britain’s worst showing in 20 years at a European Athletics Championship, he led the organization until 2006, when he resigned. The Gothenburg results fell short of the goal of enhancing British athletics in anticipation of the 2012 London Olympics, with their only gold medal coming in the 100-meter relay. Following Moorcroft’s exit, the organization underwent a reorganization, and businessman Ed Warner was appointed to the newly created position of chairman.
In September 2008, Charles van Commenee was appointed to the newly created position of national head coach. Peter Eriksson was named head coach of the Paralympic Program shortly after. After the London 2012 Olympics, Van Commenee resigned since the team didn’t reach the medal goal he had set. This was despite a largely positive response to Britain’s six-medal haul and UK Athletics’ want for him to stay in the position. Peter Eriksson, who took over for Van Commenee, resigned for personal reasons after serving just seven months of a five-year contract. Neil Black was named as a temporary replacement for UKA Performance Director. Following a reorganization announced in December 2013, three department heads (endurance, sprints, and field events).
The athletes represent Team GB when they compete in the Olympics.
Ian Beattie is the current chair, while Jack Buckner is the CEO [16]. Jason Gardener was replaced as the organization’s president in December 2023 by Denise Lewis, who resigned from her position temporarily in February 2024. After quitting her position as a BBC pundit, Lewis returned to her position as UK Athletics president in August 2024.
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