UK Athletics has pleaded guilty to corporate manslaughter in the death of Abdullah Hayayei, a Paralympian who died when a throwing cage collapsed on him during training. The 36-year-old, representing the United Arab Emirates, was fatally injured at Newham Leisure Centre in east London on July 11, 2017, while preparing for the World Para Athletics Championships.

Hayayei was practising shot putting when part of a discus/shot put cage fell on him. The charge stated that UK Athletics caused his death by supplying and operating the equipment without its base structure. The national governing body had previously denied both the manslaughter charge and a lesser health and safety offence.

Keith Davies, 78, former head of sport for the 2017 World Paralympic Athletics Championships, also pleaded guilty to a health and safety charge. The case was heard at the Old Bailey before Judge Mark Lucraft KC, with sentencing scheduled for early June. This landmark ruling holds the sporting body accountable for safety failures that led to a competitor's death during official training.