UK Athletics appears in court over death of UAE Paralympian Abdullah Hayayei

UK Athletics and a former sports official will face trial next month over the death of a Paralympian who was hit on the head by a metal pole during training in London.

Abdullah Hayayei, 36, who represented the United Arab Emirates, was injured at Newham Leisure Centre in east London on July 11, 2017 and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Mr Hayayei was training to represent the UAE in the F34 class discus, javelin and shot put at the World Para Athletics Championships in London when part of a throwing cage fell on him.

Keith Davies, 77, head of sport for the 2017 World Paralympic Athletics Championships, from east London, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court charged with gross negligence manslaughter and a health and safety offence.

UK Athletics Limited, the national governing body for athletics, also appeared as a company in the same court, charged with corporate manslaughter and a health and safety offence.

Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring said the case was being sent to the Old Bailey on February 28.

Mr Hayayei represented the UAE in the F34 class javelin and shot put at the 2016 Rio Paralympics. An accident during training with the armed forces in 2001 had resulted in severe nerve damage that left him disabled.

Teammate Mohammed Al Hammadi won the UAE’s first medals – a silver and bronze – at the World Para Athletics Championships in 2017, dedicating them to Mr Hayayei and giving them to his children.

Paying tribute at the time of his funeral, his elder sister Mariam Hayayei described him as a kind, helpful and fun person who took care of his mother after his father died in 1983.

“He was only three years old when our father passed away and when he became older, he took the responsibility of our mother and she relied on him for everything – he was her favourite son,” said Ms Hayayei.

“Playing sports was one of the main things that encouraged him to progress and improve, as he found passion in it, was a helping hand to all his colleagues and managed to obtain many medals and trophies.”