UK Athletics has pleaded guilty to corporate manslaughter over the death of Emirati Paralympic athlete Abdullah Hayayei, who was killed in 2017 while training in London.
Hayayei, 36, was preparing for the 2017 World Paralympic Athletics Championships at the Newham Leisure Centre when a metal throwing cage collapsed and fell on him. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The athlete had previously competed in javelin and shot put at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, representing the United Arab Emirates.
UK Athletics had been charged with corporate manslaughter last year and initially pleaded not guilty. However, on Friday, the organization changed its plea to guilty in court.
Keith Davies, who served as head of sport for the 2017 championships, also pleaded guilty to a health and safety offence.
Both UK Athletics and Davies are expected to be sentenced in June. In a statement, the organization expressed deep regret over the incident and extended its condolences to Hayayei’s family and teammates.
The case marks a significant legal development nearly eight years after the tragic accident.
SOURCE :TRT SPORT
