UK Athletics has been fined £350,000 and ordered to pay £44,000 in costs following the death of Paralympic shot putter Abdullah Hayayei at an east London training facility. The tragic incident occurred in 2017 when a metal cage collapsed on Mr Hayayei as he prepared for the World Athletics Championships.

Mr Hayayei, a 36-year-old wheelchair user with cerebral palsy, had previously represented the United Arab Emirates at the Rio Paralympics, competing in both javelin and shot put. His death, caused by head injuries from a heavy metal bar after the cage was brought down by a strong gust of wind, has been described by the judge as "tragic, untimely and wholly avoidable."

The court heard that the equipment had been assembled without vital base plates. UK Athletics had pleaded guilty to corporate manslaughter earlier this year. Keith Davies, the former head of sport for UK Athletics, aged 79, received a 175-hour community service order after admitting to a breach of health and safety law related to his responsibility for the equipment.

The investigation and subsequent legal proceedings have spanned nearly a decade. Police detectives uncovered photographic evidence from numerous athletics events showing the same cage being used without proper restraints to secure it. This suggests a systemic issue that contributed to the fatal accident.

During the sentencing, Judge Richard Marks KC stated that Mr Hayayei's death was an "accident which sooner or later was waiting to happen." He noted that UK Athletics, despite its passionate membership and focus on grassroots and elite athlete development, had attempted to shift blame to Mr Davies and the venue in the years following the incident.

Prosecutor John Price KC described a statement submitted by UK Athletics as a "deeply unworthy document" that the national sporting body should be ashamed of. The judge concurred, calling the stance "most unattractive," though he acknowledged it was adopted by a previous management team and has since been disavowed by current leaders who have expressed "sincere regret."

UK Athletics reported a turnover of £13.8 million in 2025 with a projected loss of £400,000. The judge granted the organization six years to pay the substantial fine in instalments.

Mr Hayayei's widow, Badriah, shared her grief in court, detailing how his death has left her to cope alone with their five young children. The lengthy investigation and legal process underscore the seriousness with which such incidents are treated, aiming to ensure accountability and prevent future tragedies.