UK Athletics and 2017 World Para Athletics Championship chief plead not responsible over demise of Paralympian who died in coaching in 2017

UK Athletics and a 77-year-old man have pleaded not responsible to manslaughter over the demise of a Paralympian who was hit on the pinnacle by a steel pole throughout coaching.

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 useless on the scene.

He was coaching in preparation to symbolize his nation within the F34 class discus, javelin and shot put on the World Para Athletics Championships in London when a part of a throwing cage fell on him.

Keith Davies, head of sport for the 2017 World Para Athletics Championships, of Leytonstone, east London, pleaded not responsible to a cost of gross negligence manslaughter and a well being and security offence when he appeared on the Outdated Bailey on Tuesday.

UK Athletics Restricted, the nationwide governing physique for athletics, additionally pleaded not responsible to a cost of company manslaughter and a well being and security offence.

UK Athletics Restricted was represented by Simon Antrobus KC, who entered the pleas on behalf of the organisation.

An eight-week trial was set for October 12, 2026 on the Outdated Bailey. A case administration listening to is to happen on the identical court docket on December 12, 2025.

Davies was launched on unconditional bail.

Mr Hayayei made his Paralympic debut in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 and was set to characteristic in his second World Championships in 2017.

Ed Warner, who was co-chair of London 2017, stated after Mr Hayayei’s demise: “This can be a devastating occasion and everybody throughout the London 2017 Organising Committee is shocked and saddened.

“We can be working intently with all of the rivals and groups over the times forward to supply help wherever it’s wanted.”