UK Athletics and one of the governing body’s top technical officials have been charged with manslaughter the death of Paralympian Abdullah Hayaiwho was hit on the head by a metal rod during training in 2017.
Hayaye, an athlete from the United Arab Emirates, was injured on July 11, 2017 at Newham Leisure Center in east London and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The 36-year-old had competed at the Rio Paralympics in 2016 and was preparing for the F34 discus, javelin and shot put events at the World Athletics Championships in London when part of the throwing cage fell on him.
Keith Davies, director of sport for the 2017 Paralympic World Athletics Championships, has been charged with gross negligence manslaughter and health and safety breaches, police and the Crown Prosecution Service said on Wednesday (January 8).
UKA has also been accused of corporate manslaughter and health and safety breaches.
The Met Police launched an investigation into Hayaye’s death, and the Crown Prosecution Service said it had authorized the laying of charges following a review of evidence provided by the force.
UKA and long-time athletics official Davies, now 77, is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on January 31.
Keith Davis (Mark Shearman)
Malcolm McHuffie, head of the CPS’s Special Crimes Unit, said: “The Crown Prosecution Service reminds everyone that criminal proceedings are ongoing and that both UK Athletics Ltd and Davies are entitled to a fair trial. It is extremely important that no reporting, comment or information is shared online that could be prejudicial in any way to this proceeding.”
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