UK Athletics and its former head of sport have been charged with manslaughter following the death of a Paralympian in 2017.
Abdullah Hayayei, a Paralympic javelin thrower and shot putter from the United Arab Emirates, died after a metal throwing cage fell on him while he was training at Newham Leisure Centre in London on July 11 ahead of the World Para Athletics Championships later that year.
The UK’s Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) announced on Wednesday that it had authorised criminal charges against UK Athletics Ltd — the governing body that oversees track and field in the UK — and Keith Davies, the former head of sport for the body.
A statement from Malcolm McHaffie, Head of the CPS Special Crime Division, said: “Following a review of the evidence provided by the Metropolitan Police Service, the Crown Prosecution Service has authorised criminal charges against UK Athletics Limited and a 77-year-old man following the death of United Arab Emirates Paralympian Abdullah Hayayei.
“Mr Hayayei, 36, died after a metal throwing cage fell on him while he was training for the shot put at Newham Leisure Centre in London on 11 July, 2017.
“UK Athletics Ltd has been charged with corporate manslaughter and a Health and Safety at Work Act offence.
“Keith Davies, the former Head of Sport at UK Athletics Ltd, has been charged with gross negligence manslaughter and a Health and Safety at Work Act offence.
“The Crown Prosecution Service reminds everyone that criminal proceedings are active and both UK Athletics Ltd and Mr 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.”
Both UK Athletics Ltd and Davies will now appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on January 31.
Hayayei competed at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, finishing sixth in the javelin and seventh in the shot put.
He died aged 36 and was survived by five children.
(Warren Little/Getty Images)
