2008 Dakar Rally Cancelled
A.S.O. Announced today that the Dakar rally, scheduled to start tomorrow, will be canceled due to political tension in the area. This has been done in an effort to ensure the safety of all participants. A.S.O. has promised that this will not endanger the future of the event.
Press Release after the jump.
Lisbon, Friday the 4th of January 2008
A.S.O. cancels the 2008 edition of the Dakar rally
After different exchanges with the French government - in particular the Ministry for Foreign Affairs - , and based on their firm recommendations, the organisers of the Dakar have taken the decision to cancel the 2008 edition of the rally, scheduled from the 5th to the 20th of January between Lisbon and Senegal's capital.
Based on the current international political tension and the murder of four French tourists last 24th of December linked to a branch of Al-Qaeda in Islamic Maghreb, but also and mainly the direct threats launched directly against the race by terrorist organisations, no other decision but the cancellation of the sporting event could be taken by A.S.O.
A.S.O.'s first responsibility is to guarantee the safety of all: that of the populations in the countries visited, of the amateur and professional competitors, of the technical assistance personnel, of the journalists, partners and rally collaborators. A.S.O. therefore reaffirms that the choice of security is not, has never been and will never be a subject of compromise at the heart of the Dakar rally.
A.S.O. condemns the terrorist menace that annihilates a year of hard work, engagement and passion for all the participants and the different actors of the world's biggest off-road rally. Aware of the huge frustration, especially in Portugal, Morocco, Mauritania and Senegal, and beyond the general disappointment and the huge economical consequences in terms of direct and indirect repercussions for the countries visited, A.S.O. will continue to defend the major values of great sporting events and will carry on its engagement for a durable development through the Actions Dakar, started 5 years ago in sub-Saharan Africa with SOS Sahel International.
The Dakar is a symbol and nothing can destroy symbols. The cancellation of the 2008 edition does not endanger the future of the Dakar. To offer, for 2009 a new adventure to all the off-road rally passionate is a challenge that A.S.O. will take on in the months to come, faithful to its engagement and its passion for sports.
Source: [Dakar.com]
Tip: [bump909]
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on Friday 1/4, 2008
eurospek
Friday 1/4, 2008 at 1:37 pm
FTMFL I was hoping to catch some Dakar action.
Anonymous
Saturday 1/5, 2008 at 4:39 pm
cool
blix
Saturday 1/5, 2008 at 9:29 pm
terrorists have gone too far. instead of threatening the rally participants like a bunch of whiny pansies, they should enter the challenge and race for their cause, like dick dastardly in the mean machine in wacky racers, or those bad asses in the ambulance in the cannonball run. will liberty or terrorism prevail? whoever the best driver is will decide the winner.
Ryan c|g staffer
Friday 1/4, 2008 at 12:04 pm
Dude, that sucks. Was it last year or a year before that that motorcyclist died from a solo crash? The Dakar organization seems to have seen better days. Hopefully they can bounce back sooner than later.