Dakar cancelled
By TMX Archives on 9th Jan 08
THE world famous Dakar Rallye - scheduled to start from Lisbon, Portugal, on January 5, and run through a number of African countries to final destination Dakar, capital of Senegal, on January 20 - has been cancelled.
The organising ASO concern pulled the plug on the event, first run in 1979, at noon last Friday, just 24-hours before the 570-odd competitors were due to leave the start in Lisbon. The decision was taken after ASO apparently took advice from French government officials following the killing of four French tourists in Mauretania on Christmas eve.
Printed below is the announcement issued by the event organisers ASO, on Friday afternoon, January 4:-
‘‘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 rallye, scheduled from January 5 to 20 between Lisbon and Senegal's capital.
''Based on the current international political tension and the murder of four French tourists on December 24, 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 thecancellation of the sporting event could be taken by ASO.
''ASO'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. ASO 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.
''ASO 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, ASO 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 five years ago in sub-Saharan Africa with SOS Sahel International.
''The Dakar Rallye 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 rallye aficionados is a challenge that ASO will take on in the months to come, faithful to its engagement and its passion for sports.''
For all ASO's rhetoric, competitors were left to make their arrangements to return home. Some were reported to be planning on carrying on to Dakar of their own accord, as their time and budgets were of course already committed. Other teams and individuals were talking of facing total financial ruin as their sponsorship was based on them starting the rallye and attracting the massive media exposure that the Dakar has always enjoyed.
Heinz Kinigadner, sporting director of KTM was clearly not happy with the total cancellation stating: ''This is
catastrophic for our sport. We will certainly ask (ASO) why they did not choose to go ahead to the borders of Morocco, (taking in six stages) in that case all sponsors and partners would get some of the media coverage they are looking for and invested in.''