UK Athletics admits corporate manslaughter of Paralympian Abdullah Hayayei

UK Athletics has pleaded guilty to corporate manslaughter following the death of Abdullah Hayayei, a Paralympic athlete who was killed during a training session in London in 2017.

The 36-year-old from the United Arab Emirates died after a metal throwing cage fell on him at Newham Leisure Centre.

He had been preparing for the World Para Athletics Championships when the fatal incident occurred.

Change of plea

The governing body was charged with corporate manslaughter last year and had originally pleaded not guilty.

However, the organisation changed its position on Friday, with lawyer Simon Antrobus entering the guilty plea on its behalf.

Keith Davies, the head of sport for the 2017 championships, also admitted to a breach of the Health and Safety at Work Act.

The 78-year-old and UK Athletics are now expected to be sentenced in June.

‘Deepest sympathy’

Hayayei had represented his country in the javelin and shot put at the Rio 2016 Paralympics just a year before his death.

The thrower was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident in east London.

Following the hearing, the organisation issued a statement expressing its condolences to Hayayei’s teammates and family.

“UK Athletics deeply regrets that the incident in July 2017 resulted in the tragic loss of Abdullah Hayayei’s life.”