UK Athletics, Official Plead Not Guilty to Manslaughter in Paralympian's Death

UK Athletics and the former head of sport, Keith Davies, have pleaded not guilty to manslaughter charges related to the death of Paralympian Abdullah Hayayei, who died in 2017 after a metal cage fell on him during training. Hayayei, a 36-year-old athlete from the United Arab Emirates, was preparing for the World Para Athletics Championships when the incident occurred at Newham Leisure Centre in London. The charges against UK Athletics include corporate manslaughter and failing to ensure safety, alleging that they routinely provided unsafe equipment between 2012 and 2017. Davies faces accusations of gross negligence, asserting that he did not take reasonable care regarding safety standards. An eight-week trial is scheduled to commence on October 12, 2026, following a pre-trial hearing where both defendants entered their pleas. The case has raised significant concerns about the safety measures in place at athletic events.