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UK Athletics and a 77-year-old man have pleaded not guilty to charges of manslaughter in connection with the death of Paralympian Abdullah Hayayei, who was fatally struck by a metal pole during a training session in east London.
Hayayei, 36, who competed for the United Arab Emirates, was training in discus, javelin, and shot put at Newham Leisure Centre on July 11, 2017 when part of a throwing cage collapsed, causing fatal head injuries. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
On Tuesday, Keith Davies, the head of sport for the 2017 World Para Athletics Championships, appeared at the Old Bailey, where he denied charges of gross negligence, manslaughter, and a health and safety violation.
UK Athletics Limited, the national governing body for the sport, also entered a plea of not guilty to corporate manslaughter and a separate health and safety offence.
The court scheduled an eight-week trial to commence on October 12, 2026. Davies was granted unconditional bail ahead of the proceedings.
