Emergency services were called to the Newham Leisure Centre shortly after 5pm local time yesterday following the incident.

Hayayei, a thrower who competed in the F34 classification, was pronounced dead at the scene 20 minutes later.

Majid Al Usaimi, the vice-president of the UAE Disabled Sports Federation, told Dubai Sports TV the 36-year-old athlete died after the discus cage at the venue fell on his head.

This was then confirmed by Asian Paralympic Committee President Majid Rashed.

"I can say the throwing cage collapsed on the athlete's head - but how that happened, we can not say," he said at a press conference in London.

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) said in a statement that the athlete's family and the Health and Safety Executive had been informed.

The UAE team were informed of the tragedy at their hotel.

A minute's silence will be held as a mark of respect to Hayayei during the Opening Ceremony of the Championships at the Olympic Stadium on Friday (July 14).

"We are all truly devastated by this tragic news and the passing of Abdullah," IPC President Sir Philip Craven said.

"The thoughts, prayers and condolences of the whole Paralympic Movement are with Abdullah’s family, friends and teammates as well as the whole of the National Paralympic Committee of the UAE. 

"We are all in state of shock at this terrible tragedy.”

Al Usaimi revealed the UAE would still compete at the World Championships, despite the tragic death of their team-mate.

"We are overcome by grief, all of the UAE delegation here in London, and are truly shocked by this news, but it is God's will," he said.

"We cannot discuss the details of the incident but what I can say is that during afternoon practice for the throwing team, at the official training venue of the competition, Abdullah was going through his usual training routines, before the metal discus cage fell on his head.

"The on-site medical staff tried to help him but to no avail.

"We had a meeting with the entire delegation and decided to continue our journey here, with greater motivation in honour of and as a tribute to our brother Abdullah."

Hayayei made his Paralympic Games debut at last year's event in Rio de Janeiro, finishing sixth in the javelin F34 and seventh in the shot put F34.

He was set to participate in the F34 shot put, discus and javelin events at the World Championships.

Hayayei finished fifth in the discus and eighth in shot put at the 2015 edition of the event in Doha.

"This is a devastating event and everyone within the London 2017 Organising Committee is shocked and saddened," London 2017 co-chairman Ed Warner said. 

"Our thoughts and prayers are with all of Abdullah's family and teammates at what is undoubtedly a very difficult time for them. 

"We will be working closely with all the competitors and teams over the days ahead to offer support wherever it is needed."

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