UK Athletics has admitted corporate manslaughter in the death of Abdullah Hayayei, a Paralympian from the United Arab Emirates who died in July 2017 following an accident during training at Newham Leisure Centre in London. The organization reversed its previous not-guilty plea at an Old Bailey hearing on .
Hayayei, 36, was preparing to compete in the F34 class discus, javelin, and shot put at the 2017 World Para Athletics Championships in London when he was fatally injured. The incident involved a section of a throwing cage collapsing and striking him. Despite the efforts of emergency medical staff, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The charge against UK Athletics stated that the governing body caused Hayayei’s death by “supplying for use at an organised para-athletics training event in which he participated a discus/shot put cage which it used and operated without its base structure and which collapsed” onto him while he was practicing shot putting. This admission of guilt follows years of legal proceedings and scrutiny surrounding the circumstances of Hayayei’s death.
Alongside UK Athletics, Keith Davies, 78, who served as the head of sport for the 2017 World Para-athletics Championships, also entered a guilty plea. However, Davies pleaded guilty to a health and safety charge, a lesser offense than the gross negligence manslaughter charge he initially faced. The prosecution will no longer pursue the more serious charge against him.
Prosecutor Karen Robinson requested that the court schedule a two-day sentencing hearing for both UK Athletics and Davies in early June. She confirmed that the prosecution would not proceed with a trial, and all outstanding matters would be resolved at the sentencing hearing. Davies has been granted continued bail, with the condition that he cooperate with the Probation Service for a pre-sentence report.
The case highlights the critical importance of safety standards and risk management in elite sports, particularly within para-athletics. The collapse of the throwing cage points to potential failures in the setup, maintenance, or oversight of training equipment. The implications of this case extend beyond the immediate tragedy, raising questions about the responsibility of governing bodies to ensure the well-being of athletes under their jurisdiction.
UK Athletics now faces a potentially substantial financial penalty. Reports suggest the organization could be fined between £1.2 million and £5 million, reflecting the severity of the corporate manslaughter conviction. The financial repercussions, however, are likely to be secondary to the reputational damage sustained by the organization.
The timeline of events reveals a protracted legal battle. UK Athletics initially denied the charge of corporate manslaughter in , setting the stage for a full trial. However, the decision to change the plea suggests a reassessment of the evidence and the strength of the prosecution’s case. The guilty plea likely reflects a recognition of the organization’s culpability in the tragic incident.
Abdullah Hayayei’s death prompted an investigation by Scotland Yard, working in conjunction with Newham Council’s health and safety team. The investigation revealed that the throwing cage had not been erected correctly, rendering it unstable and contributing to its eventual collapse. This finding underscores the significance of proper installation and regular safety checks for sports equipment.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the risks inherent in competitive sports and the need for rigorous safety protocols. While elite athletes push the boundaries of human performance, governing bodies have a fundamental duty to protect their well-being. The outcome of this case is expected to prompt a review of safety procedures across various sporting disciplines, with a focus on preventing similar tragedies in the future.
The sentencing hearing in June will provide a platform for the court to consider the full extent of UK Athletics’ culpability and to determine an appropriate punishment. The hearing will also offer an opportunity for Hayayei’s family to share their grief and to seek closure following the loss of their loved one. The details of the sentencing, and any subsequent changes to safety regulations, will be closely watched by the sporting community, and beyond.
