LONDON (AP) - The governing body for track and field in Britain and a sports official have been charged with manslaughter following the tragic death of Paralympic athlete Abdullah Hayayei. The 36-year-old thrower from the United Arab Emirates was fatally injured on July 11, 2017, at the Newham Leisure Center in east London.
During a training session meant to prepare for the World Para Athletics Championships, Hayayei was struck on the head by a metal pole when part of a throwing cage collapsed. Despite immediate assistance at the scene, he was pronounced dead shortly after the incident. Hayayei was competing in the F34 class events, which included discus, javelin, and shot put.
As investigations into the incident unfolded, the police, alongside the Crown Prosecution Service, have charged Keith Davies, identified as the head of sport for the 2017 World Paralympic Athletics Championships, with gross negligence manslaughter and a health and safety offence. This significant development highlights the serious implications of the athletic environment's safety protocols.
In addition to Davies, UK Athletics Limited, the national governing body for athletics in the UK, also faces charges of corporate manslaughter and a health and safety offence. These charges underline the accountability of sports organizations in ensuring the safety of athletes during training and competition.
Both Keith Davies and UK Athletics are scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court in London on January 31, 2024. This court appearance is anticipated to draw considerable attention as it addresses the responsibility of sports officials and governing bodies in maintaining safe environments for athletes.
The incident sheds light on the essential need for rigorous safety standards and regular inspections of training facilities to prevent such tragedies in the future. The summons of both Davies and UK Athletics may serve as a pivotal case in the ongoing discussions about athlete safety and the broader implications for sports management and governance.
