by Stuart Weir
More problems for UK Athletics
In July 2017, a few days before the World Para-Athletics Championships in London, thrower Abdullah Hayayei from United Arab Emirates was training Newham Leisure Centre in London facility when a metal cage fell on him. He was killed instantly. He had been due to compete in the F34 category in the shot put, discus, and javelin events.
Seven years after the terrible incident, UK Athletics and one of its former technical officials (Keith Davies, the former head of sport for the championships) have been charged with manslaughter over his death.
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. UK Athletics Ltd has been charged with corporate manslaughter and a Health and Safety at Work Act offence and Keith Davies has been charged with gross negligence manslaughter and a Health and Safety at Work Act offence.”
