WHAT TOOK them so long? It was 11th July 2017 – seven and a half years ago – when reports came in to the emergency services that a man was seriously injured after being struck on the head by a metal pole.

The injury arose after an “incident” which occurred while the man, Abdullah Hayayei, 36 was training at Newham Leisure Centre in Prince Regent Lane, E13. Hayayei, a United Arab Emirates athlete, was pronounced dead at the scene. An investigation into the incident was then launched.

It has now been reported that on 7th January 2025, detectives from the Metropolitan Police charged the company UK Athletics in connection with Hayayei’s death. The charges are corporate manslaughter and offences under Section 3 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

Keith Davies, 77, of Bushwood, Leytonstone, was the Head of Sport for the 2017 Paralympic Athletics Championships. He was charged the following day with gross negiglence manslaughter, as well as offences under the same Health and Safety at Work Act.

Mr Davies and UK Athletics are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates Court on 31st January.

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