13 July,2017 09:10 AM IST | London | PA Sport
Para-athlete Abdullah Hayayei died after a discus cage collapsed on him as he trained in London ahead of the upcoming World Para-athletics Championships
Abdullah Hayayei
UAE's discus thrower Abdullah Hayayei. Pic/getty images
Para-athlete Abdullah Hayayei died after a discus cage collapsed on him as he trained in London ahead of the upcoming World Para-athletics Championships. The 36-year-old, who was due to represent the United Arab Emirates in the F34 class discus, javelin and shot put, was training at Newham Leisure Centre on Tuesday in preparation for the championships which begin at the London Stadium tomorrow.
An ongoing police investigation meant International Paralympic Committee and London 2017 chiefs were unable to divulge details of the tragic incident yesterday. But Majid Rashed, president of the Asian Paralympic Committee, confirmed: "I can say the throwing cage collapsed on the athlete's head. We don't have any more information about how that happened, what was the reason, or what the details are."
Hayayei, a father of five, was pronounced dead at the scene at 5:20pm on Tuesday evening. The tragedy was witnessed by some of his teammates as well as coaches and athletes from other competing nations, all of whom have been offered counselling.
Discussions were held to decide whether the championships should be postponed, but they will go ahead as planned.
