UK Athletics admits corporate manslaughter for the 2017 death of Paralympic athlete Abdullah Hayayei, who was killed by a falling metal cage during training in London.

UK Athletics has pleaded guilty to corporate manslaughter over the death of Paralympic athlete Abdullah Hayayei in 2017.

The 36-year-old athlete from the United Arab Emirates was killed while training at the Newham Leisure Centre in London. A metal throwing cage fell on him as he prepared for the 2017 World Paralympic Athletics Championships.

Hayayei had made his Paralympic debut in the javelin and shot put at the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro. He was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident.

The national governing body had initially pleaded not guilty after being charged last year. Its lawyer, Simon Antrobus, entered the guilty plea on the organisation’s behalf at a hearing on Friday.

Keith Davies, the 78-year-old head of sport for the 2017 championships, also pleaded guilty to an offence under the Health and Safety at Work Act. Both UK Athletics and Davies are expected to be sentenced in June.

In a statement, UK Athletics offered its deepest sympathy to Hayayei’s family and teammates. “UK Athletics deeply regrets that the incident in July 2017 resulted in the tragic loss of Abdullah Hayayei’s life,” the statement said.

 The Sun Malaysia