Athletics governing body admits corporate manslaughter after death of para-athlete

The national governing body for athletics has pleaded guilty to corporate manslaughter following the death nine years ago of para-athlete, Abdullah Hayayei, during training ahead of the World Para Athletics Championships.

The conviction is the result of a meticulous and highly specialised investigation by Met detectives which required detailed engineering expertise to fully understand the chain of events which led to the tragedy. During the course of the investigation officers examined over 1,500 documents, took around 160 statements, spoke with more than 80 witnesses and collated a number of expert reports.

Representatives for UK Athletics Limited appeared at the Old Bailey on Friday, 20 February where they pleaded guilty to corporate manslaughter. The organisation’s former head of sport, Keith Davies, 78 (06.05.1947) of Bushwood, Leytonstone pleaded guilty to an offence under Section 7 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

Detective Sergeant Brett Hagen, who led the Met’s investigation, said:

“Our thoughts are with Mr Hayayei’s family during what will be a significant moment for them. We thank them for their ongoing patience, understanding and dignity throughout this lengthy and complex investigation.

“The resulting charges and early guilty plea reflect our perseverance and dedication, and the significant work undertaken to build a comprehensive and compelling case against the defendants.

“Cases of this nature are rare and particularly difficult to prosecute due to various complexities surrounding the legislation, so we welcome this outcome.”

Abdullah Hayayei, 36, was a professional para-athlete who was in London representing the United Arab Emirates at the 2017 World Para Athletics Championships. While training at Newham Leisure Centre in Prince Regent Lane E13 on 11 July 2017 Mr Hayayei was seriously injured after the throwing cage he was training in collapsed.

Police and other emergency services were called, but despite the best efforts of medical staff he was pronounced dead at the scene.

An investigation was launched in collaboration with Newham Council’s Health and Safety Team. Enquiries established the throwing cage had not been erected correctly, making it unstable.

UK Athletics managed the international athletics and para-athletics events in London in 2017. Davies was a senior manager for UK Athletics and their head of sports at the time of the incident.

In November 2017 Davies was interviewed under caution in connection with the investigation. Both he and UK Athletics were then charged in January 2025. They pleaded not guilty at an earlier hearing in March 2025.

Sentencing will take place on a date to be fixed at the Old Bailey.