UK Athletics fined £350,000 over Paralympian’s death

The governing body “deeply and sincerely regrets” the 2017 killing of Abdullah Hayey.

Great Britain’s athletics was fined 350,000 pounds for “completely avoiding” parachutist Abdullah Hayei.who died in July 2017 as a result of the collapse of the throwing cage during training.

Earlier this year, the governing body was found guilty of corporate manslaughter following Hayaye’s death, which took place at Newham Leisure Center after a metal device fell on the father-of-five as he prepared to represent the United Arab Emirates at the World Para Athletics Championships.

A police and health and safety investigation found the cage, which partially collapsed in high winds, was missing elements critical to its stability.

UKA initially denied the allegation but changed their sin in February. Sentencing on Tuesday (June 2), Judge Richard Marks QC said Mr Hayaye’s death was “tragic, untimely and entirely avoidable” as he fined him £350,000 plus £44,000 costs to be paid over six years.

Keith Davies, 78, who was the director of sport at the 2017 Paralympic World Championships in Athletics, admitted a health and safety charge and received a community order for 175 hours of unpaid work.

UKA said in a statement: “Today’s sentencing is a significant moment for UK Athletics and our thoughts remain with the family, friends and loved ones of Abdullah Haya following his tragic death in 2017.

“The failings found in this case should never have happened and UK Athletics is deeply and sincerely sorry for what happened and the impact it has had on all those affected.

“Since then, significant changes have been made to strengthen the way sport is managed in terms of safety, governance and event management. While nothing can undo what happened, there is a strong focus on learning from these events and putting stronger standards and safeguards in place in athletics.

“We respectfully accept the Court’s decision today and remain committed to continuing this work with the seriousness and responsibility that this case requires.

“Once again, we express our sincere condolences to Abdullah Hayai’s family, friends and all those affected by this tragedy.”

Hayae made her Paralympic debut at the Rio 2016 Games, where she finished sixth in the F34 javelin and seventh in the shot put. At London 2017, she was due to compete in the shot put, discus and javelin, which would be her second World Championships after the 2015 event in Doha, where she finished fifth in the discus and eighth in the shot put.