Skip to main content
UK Athletics and man plead not guilty over death of Paralympian
Keith Davies, head of sport for the 2017 World-Paralympic Athletics Championships, arrives at the Old Bailey, in central London, where he is charged, along with UK Athletics, over the death of athlete Abdullah Hayayei at Newham Leisure Centre in July 2017

UK ATHLETICS and a 77-year-old man have pleaded not guilty to manslaughter over the death of a Paralympian who was hit on the head by a metal pole during training in 2017.

Abdullah Hayayei, 36, who represented the United Arab Emirates, was injured at Newham Leisure Centre in east London on July 11 2017 and was pronounced dead at the scene.

He was training in preparation to represent his country in the F34 class discus, javelin and shot put at the World Para Athletics Championships in London when part of a throwing cage fell on him.

Donate to the Fighting Fund
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
Similar stories
The start line of the London Landmarks Half Marathon, hosted
Athletics / 6 April 2025
6 April 2025
DAVID CONWAY discusses how going the distance is becoming increasingly inaccessible for working-class athletes who wish to compete
Athletics / 23 October 2024
23 October 2024