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.
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 authorised 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.
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