UK Athletics charged with manslaughter following death of Paralympian
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UK Athletics, the governing body for track and field in the United Kingdom, along with a former official, has been charged with manslaughter following the tragic death of Paralympian Abdullah Hayayei in 2017. The charges were announced by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) on Wednesday.
Abdullah Hayayei, a 36-year-old athlete from the United Arab Emirates, was a talented para athlete who competed in the shot put, discus, and javelin. He was training for the shot put event ahead of the World Paralympic Athletics Championships when a horrific accident occurred at Newham Leisure Centre in London. During the training session, a metal throwing cage collapsed on Hayayei, causing fatal injuries. Despite efforts to save him, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The CPS has officially charged UK Athletics with corporate manslaughter as well as a violation of the Health and Safety at Work Act. The organization is being held accountable for failing to ensure the safety of its athletes. Additionally, Keith Davies, who was the Head of Sport for the 2017 World Paralympic Athletics Championships, has been charged with gross negligence manslaughter and breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act.
Malcolm McHaffie, Head of the CPS Special Crime Division, explained that following a thorough review of the evidence provided by the Metropolitan Police Service, the CPS had authorized criminal charges against both UK Athletics and Davies. McHaffie’s statement emphasized the seriousness of the charges, underlining the responsibility of both the governing body and the individual official for the tragic incident.
In response to the charges, UK Athletics stated that it would not be making any public statements at this time, citing the ongoing legal proceedings. World Para Athletics also issued a similar comment, noting that they cannot provide any further information on the matter while the legal process is underway.
Abdullah Hayayei was a respected athlete in the para athletics community. Prior to his death, he had competed in the 2016 Rio Paralympics, where he achieved notable results. He placed seventh in the men’s shot put F34 and sixth in the men’s javelin F34. His passing has left a significant impact on the sporting world, and the charges brought against UK Athletics and Davies are a reflection of the serious nature of the incident.
Both UK Athletics and Keith Davies are scheduled to appear in court on January 31 at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, where they will face the charges brought against them. The legal proceedings are expected to shed light on the events leading to Hayayei’s tragic death and whether there was any negligence in ensuring the safety of athletes during training.
The incident highlights the importance of safety measures in sports, particularly for para athletes who face additional challenges. The charges against UK Athletics and Davies serve as a stark reminder of the need for rigorous safety protocols and the responsibility of those in charge to protect the well-being of athletes. As the case progresses, many will be watching closely to see how the legal system handles this tragic event and what the outcome will mean for the future of athlete safety in the world of athletics.
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