Dakar Rally Cancelled
Iconic race stopped by terror threats
The event is hugely popular
The organisers of the rally said they have taken the decision to stop the race, scheduled to start tomorrow, based ‘on the current international political tension’.
The Amaury Sport Organisation has vowed that this is not the end of the rally and hopes to revive it in 2009.
Four French tourists were murdered in Mauritania on 24 December, and the French government has advised against any travel to the country.
‘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,’ the organisers said in a statement.
‘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.
‘The Dakar is a symbol and nothing can destroy symbols.’
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