UK Athletics and a former sports official have been charged with manslaughter over the death of a Paralympian who was hit on the head by a metal pole from the throwing cage during training in 2017.
Abdullah Hayayei, 36, who represented the United Arab Emirates, was injured at Newham Leisure Centre in East London on July 11, 2017. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
On Wednesday, police and the Crown Prosecution Service said that Keith Davies, 77, who was head of sport for the 2017 World Paralympic Athletics Championships, had been charged with gross negligence manslaughter and a health and safety offence.
UK Athletics Limited, the national governing body for athletics, has also been charged with corporate manslaughter and a health and safety offence. Athletics and Mr Davies are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on January 31.
Mr Hayayei represented the UAE in the F34 class javelin and shot put at the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games and was training for the World Para Athletics Championships at the time of his death.
Mr Hayayei trained with the Armed Forces as a serviceman in 2001. He fought back from severe injuries suffered during an accident at that time that resulted in severe nerve damage and a disability he then had until his death.
Mr Hayayei continued in the Armed Forces after he recovered and became an athlete, going on to represent his country.
Teammate Mohammed Al Hammadi won the UAE’s first medals – a silver and bronze – at the World Para Athletics Championships dedicated the medals to Mr Hayayei and gave them to his children.
Paying tribute to him 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.”
